Urbanet Magazine | Revista Centroamericana

2008 Jaguar XF Wins Design Award

0 Comentarios2008 » 10:58 PM | Diseño & Arte •

DESIGN - EXTERIOR

The defining element of the new Jaguar XF as a true sporting Jaguar is its visual strength. Driven by a bold new design language, the Jaguar XF firmly emphasises contemporary and emotional themes while remaining unmistakeably a Jaguar. Targeting leadership in exterior and interior design, the XF builds on already high standards of craftsmanship, quality and dynamic refinement, while improving packaging and aerodynamics even further.

Having the space and practicality of full five-seat accommodation was a programme imperative, so the Jaguar XF is proportioned to provide interior space and levels of comfort that challenge for best-in-class honours. At 4961mm long and 1877mm wide, on a lengthy 2909mm wheelbase, the XF is 45mm longer and 25mm wider than its nearest 'dimensional' competitor, the Audi A6 – with even greater advantages over the BMW 5-Series, Lexus GS300 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

“The XF is a stage in a personal journey for me. It has always been my career goal to return Jaguar to its rightful place as leader in automotive design. Cars like the original XJ6 left a lasting legacy and my ambition has been to create something as seminal. The XF is that car.” Design Director Ian Callum

The one thing missing from the launch of the XF Jaguar, compared with the presentations of so many other car makers at the Frankfurt motor show, was any great emphasis on environmental factors.

DESIGN - INTERIOR

Relax inside the XF and you are in a very special place indeed. There is space – more than many will imagine given the XF's sports saloon design – but also the sense of being in a perfectly proportioned, agile car. There is also comfort – of course – but it is the c raftsmanship, materials and attention to detail that impress. Consider, too, the generous equipment specification – the features that empower rather than overpower the driver – and the strengths of the XF are readily apparent.

The interior design maximises the feeling of space, with driver and passenger seating positions, the relationship of seats to window areas, and the volume and versatility of stowage options all contributing. New thinking on Seat design – the front seats are deliberately sculpted and reduced in size (but not comfort) – liberates space and makes access easier, too. The increased track and best-in-class rear Seat width means tall adults can sit in complete comfort. And while the XF roofline might say ‘coupe’, the rear headroom says ‘saloon’ better than many rivals.

Just as the XF’s exterior defines a new design direction, its interior moves from traditional themes to contemporary, sporting luxury - emphasised by ‘surprise and delight’ features such as the JaguarDrive Selector TM and the rotating vents; through the use of sophisticated new materials; and by all-new graphics and interior lighting systems.

Jaguar Cars interior designer Alister Whelan says the inspiration for the XF cabin was pure, modern luxury:

“We have found exciting new ways to say ‘luxury’. The lines are clean and pure, the materials are familiar, but with a very modern flavour - from soft-grained leathers to real wood veneers with a bold, contemporary spin. Even the phosphor blue interior lighting has its own mood.”

"Jaguar has had a corporate focus on sustainability since 1998, when we released the aluminium XJ, which offered great performance with great fuel economy and emissions.''

"We are a small company. We will do a few things really well, but we won't have a powertrain for everybody in the world.'' Her frustration is that Jaguar cannot sell the diesel in all markets. "If I could snap my fingers and get the rules of the world to change, I'd love one set of rules that allowed us to sell our fantastic diesel in the US, in Asia, in Europe.'' "We've got great technology, but we can only sell it in half the world.'' Managing director Bibiana Boerio