XF EXCELS

With its £1 billion purchase, Tata has taken ownership of two of the most prestigious marques in the global industry and ones which are currently undergoing a strong period of renaissance.

Jewell in the acquisition crown is undoubtedly the new five-seater XF premium sports saloon from Jaguar - it's been winning awards from the moment it was unveiled, the pinnacle being the What Car? Car of the Year title.

Its success appears to be down to the combination of nostalgia and technology - although it has to be said there isn't a lot of the former - this is probably the most radical Jaguar in decades.

There are only a few visual clues that would distinguish it in an un-badged line-up, unlike its predecessor the S Type, which was unashamedly a retro revival.

Design director Ian Callum takes a lot of the credit for creating such a slippery organic shape, especially the athletic rear haunches, which are the most inspiring aspect of the design.

The return of the side gills (borrowed from the XK) and the coupesque slope of the roof line add a sporting dimension while a rising waistline gives a higher than normal rear end topped off with long horizontal wrap-around tail-lights and a chrome strip carrying the leaper.

There is more than a hint of Aston Martin from the rear three-quarters, which isn't to its detriment.

Up front it's more of a mixed bag - the power bulge on the bonnet is pure animal aggression and illustrates the saloon's sporting aspirations.

But to my eye a few aspects of the new face of Jaguar are unresolved. The XF's chrome mesh grille with the inset growler doesn't work, being neither one thing or another and is a hot favourite for a revision at the time of the first facelift while the headlights are rather forced on the design rather than part of it.

I would also take issue with the large wiper blade placement which in other brands would be tucked below the line of the bonnet to clean-up the airflow and tidy the visual effect. Not here where the blades partially obscure the eye line down the bonnet bulge.

Inside the shackles of cabins past are thrown off to allow for a new, slim-line clean-cut interpretation featuring a broad sweeping soft-touch dashboard which dives into the door panels highlighted by sporting white and silver dials for the chronograph inspired instrumentation.

There is an intimate, sculpted (including the seat) cockpit feel for the driver with everything presently neatly and conveniently to hand taking some of the stress away from the driver.

Admittedly, the raked roof line does compromise some of the head room but not sufficient to make six footers complain and they have plenty of leg room.

Behind them is a golf bag carrying 540 litre boot - a nice touch is the 60/40 split fold rear seat which allows extra luggage or unusual sized items to be carried.

Expected best selling specification level will be the mid-range Premium Luxury (as tested here) which includes; traditional leather and burr walnut trimmings, automatic dual zone climate control, cruise control, rear parking sensors, 7in colour touch screen display, satellite navigation, Bluetooth phone connection, blue mood lighting, 10 way electrically adjustable heated front seats trimmed in softgrain leather plus 320W premium sound system with eight speakers and in-build CD changer.

On the version I tested from Westover Jaguar in Poole, the XF was fitted with some of the most popular options such as; DAB radio (£375), Bi-Xenon headlights (£700), Reverse Parking camera and front parking sensors £395), 19in alloy wheels (£750) and Jaguar Voice (£440) to operate audio and telephone functions.

One of the major taking points is how the XF greets its occupants - a clever trick but one that at certain levels seems unnecessary.

Press the pulsing red starter button (no key to slot into the ignition now) and the air vents immediately swivel into view (a frivolous feature to my mind) while the rotary Jaguar Drive Selector gear knob rises elegantly out of the centre console.

This method of gear selection is novel and first time drivers may well be wary - I certainly was - but there is no need for concern. Within a few miles I was happy twisting between drive modes, remembering to depress the knob when reverse was required.

Alternative manual sequential shift selection of the gears can be managed from the steering wheel paddles and while the full auto mode is adequate or most situations , manual over-ride or the Sport setting adds that extra bite and verve to the action.

The rotary system emerges as so easy and simple that I can envisage it becoming more widely used, and not just by Jaguar.

At one time diesel would have been un-imaginable for a Jaguar but in the case of the XF its now going to be the preferred choice of fuel source for 21st century drivers, there is no getting away from the fact that modern diesel engines offer a fine combination of performance with economy - the twin-turbo V6 2.7 litre version installed here being a perfect example.

The high pressure multi-phase fuel injected unit is going to be the best seller thanks to is assets of enthusiastic performance (sub 8 seconds to 6mph), competitive purchase price and close to 40mpg fuel consumption.

Quiet and sophisticated with masses of mid-range torque to boost it along via the drive by wire throttle, the 2.7 turbo diesel lives up to the sporting aspirations of its makers.

Power is nothing without control so a lot of work has gone into refining the XF chassis.

It features a stiff bodyshell and wide rear track which give high levels of grip and balance with supple body control that gives it the road presence of a coupe rather than a four-door saloon.

The sophisticated suspension set-up has come from the XK sports coupe with an unequal length wishbone front design and a multi-link rear arrangement to smooth out the worst of road indentations.

Perhaps the XF doesn't quite have the dynamic control and abilities of a BMW but it does offer a slightly more comforting ride quality.

One of the Jaguar hallmarks inherited by the XF is the seamless steering response provided by the power assisted set-up that gives confident direction changes.

To go with this are lots of reassuring driver aids such as; Electronic Brake Assist, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, ABS with Dynamic Stability Control, Cornering Brake Control and Understeer Control.

Despite the many accolades, the XF isn't a perfect car, but it gets very close because ultimately no vehicle is going to satisfy every driver requirement.

It's very pleasing on the eye (and the Mk II should be even better if Mr Callum has been listening to comments from the press and public), has a soft welcoming ambience, is easy to drive, is loaded with technology and exudes confidence.

Also it doesn't go far from its historical roots with its wood and leather, lively performance and an awful lot of luxury car for your money.