Jaguar XF 2.0-litre petrol review, test drive

Jaguar XF 2.0 petrol sedan is the carmaker's most affordable petrol car here. We get behind the wheel to see whether the Jag experience is intact.

Published on Apr 10, 2014 07:52:00 PM

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Jaguar XF 2.0-litre petrol.

Make : Jaguar

Model : XF

The downsizing trend at Jaguar continues and this time, it’s a new 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine that has made its way into the XF’s bay. Priced at Rs 48.30 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), this small capacity Jaguar is the most affordable petrol Jag, by far. But, has downsizing diluted the Jaguar experience or does it retain the character of a true-blue Jag?

Straight off the bat, don’t let the lack of cubic capacity throw you off. This relatively petite direct injection turbocharged mill squeezes out an impressive 237bhp and 34.7kgm, giving it a bit more muscle than its similar-engined rivals. Transmission is via a ZF-sourced, eight-speed automatic that drives the rear wheels.

As a result, the 2.0-litre petrol Jag looks quite impressive on paper and importantly, it barely loses out on equipment when compared to the top-spec XF. So, all the essential kit you would expect from a luxury sedan is here. There is dual-zone air-conditioning, GPS navigation, 11-speaker audio system, mood lighting, touch-screen interface (which could be a bit more intuitive), reversing camera, leather upholstery and Bluetooth connectivity. Both the comfortable front seats get powered adjustment too. And then there’s the same fantastic interior that seamlessly blends old-world charm with modern elements. The mix of leather, wood trim and brushed metal is more alluring than the industrial feel of a German car’s interior. Even on the outside, Jaguar hasn’t left many tell-tale signs that announce ‘base variant’ either. Also, unlike the downsized 2.2-litre diesel XF, you get dual exhausts poking out of the back, further concealing the car’s relatively lower sticker price.