New Jaguars are worth considering

These are times that try the Jaguar soul.

Just as the iconic British manufacturer introduced its all-new sports sedan, the XF, it also came under new ownership.

Ford Motor Co. sold the Jaguar and Land Rover brands, which it had acquired for $5.3 billion, to Tata Motors of India for $2.5 billion.

So Great Britain, which colonized the Indian subcontinent, saw some of its most revered brands fall into the hands of a once-subjugated people.

Though confident of its future, especially with a new product like the XF, Jaguar and its many supporters can only guess at what the future may bring.

There's no question that the 18-year association with Ford, which cost Ford more than $10 billion, was a boon to Jaguar, especially in the area of quality control. Jaguar reliability had become the object of ridicule.

But there were mistakes as well. The entry-level Jaguar X-Type, based on the European Ford Mondeo (and similar to the U.S. Ford Contour) was a flop. Critics said the entry-level X-Type diluted Jaguar's luxury reputation.

But Jaguar came roaring back with the XK sports car, which now is the basis for the 2009 XF sports sedan. The XK and XF cars share engines and transmissions.

Although styling appeal ultimately is in the eye of the beholder, it would be hard to find anyone who thinks the new XF is ugly. It has stunning taut lines that look more like a coupe than a sedan, similar to low-slung cars like the Mercedes-Benz CLS and the new Volkswagen Passat CC.

Ian Callum, Jaguar's design director, says unequivocally that the XF is a sports car, despite the four doors. He said the goal was to make a modern car with a stance and pure lines "that is easy to look at, that you don't have to explain."

Inside, the designers sought to impart a sense of drama, theater and even a quirky demeanor. "It's a British car, so it should have some humor in it, and it does," said Chris Brazendale, the product planning manager.

The XF uses a keyless ignition system with a pushbutton starter. When the driver touches the starter button, it pulses with a red light, imitating a beating heart. A large knob that controls the six-speed automatic transmission rises like a wraith out of the console, and the hidden air-conditioning vents in the aluminum dashboard open up. A touch or wave of a finger pops the glove box or turns on a map light.

This is all very gimmicky, of course, and unnecessary. But it is one of the ways to get well-heeled customers' attention. In the end, however, a car in this class has to perform, and the XF does.

There are three versions: the XF and XF Premium with 4.2-liter naturally-aspirated engines rated at 300 horsepower. Starting prices are $49,975 and $55,975. At the top is the XF Supercharged, with a 420-horsepower engine and a sticker of $62,975.

All three offer the tactile sensations of a quality sports car, and the engineers have negotiated an admirable compromise between precise handling and a supple ride.

The automatic transmission has a sport setting that sharpens responses. It can be shifted manually in either drive or sport mode with paddles on the steering wheel. The transmission holds the selected gear all the way to the red line on the tachometer, when it automatically shifts to the next higher ratio to prevent engine damage.

Although the XF has plenty of grunt in most circumstances, the supercharged model provides flexible power that never falters. The zero to 60 acceleration is 5.1 seconds, compared to 6.2 seconds for the standard model.

Competitors are the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5-Series, Lexus GS, Audi A6 and Cadillac CTS, all mid-size sedans. They are rear-drive cars except for the front-drive Audi, and all are available with all-wheel drive, which the XF does not offer.

The XF, which replaces both the X-Type and S-Type, is a tight package that feels more like a compact. It is classified as mid-size because of its unusually large trunk, with nearly 18 cubic feet of space, though most of it is horizontal because of the low profile.

Inside, the front seats are firm and supportive. A wide console with cup holders and storage space takes a few inches away from the hip room of the driver and passenger. Outboard in back, there's a shortage of headroom for anyone over 5-foot-10, although knee room is adequate. Forget the impossible center position.

The XF designers did an admirable job of largely muffling road and mechanical noises, though you can enjoy the pleasantly-muted V8 engine sounds. But wind noise intrudes at highway speeds.

Other shortcomings include sun visors that don't adequately block sunlight from the side because they do not slide on their support rods; a power outlet inconveniently located inside the console, and excessive glare on the instruments under some light conditions.

But for people who shop for distinction and driving pleasure in this price class, the XF is worth serious consideration.