Jaguar XF - powerful turbo prowler

Christopher Serju, Automotives Writer

Deceptively powerful is how I found the 2013 Si Jaguar XF on a recent test run.

With a displacement of two litres, one could be forgiven for thinking this four-cylinder is an ordinary engine, but here is a turbo petrol power plant that is anything but the usual.

Of course Sloane Jackson, market analyst with local dealers ATL Autohaus, was quick to explain that this is due to forced induction, a process which uses a gas compressor to increase the pressure, temperature and density of the compressed air delivered to the intake valve. This compares with regular naturally aspirated engines.

Forced induction greatly increases the total compression ratio of the entire system, thereby increase engine power and efficiency with the spin-off benefit of maximising the amount of useful energy extracted per unit of fuel. Translation: Greater fuel efficiency, as well.

So that would explain the ease with I overtook a number of vehicles and why I insisted on checking the engine for myself afterwards. In fact, though the manufacturers claim that it goes from 0 to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, Jackson says he has been able to get there in 6.8 seconds, underlining the Si Jaguar XF's claim to being the most powerful entry-level turbo petrol engine.

Somehow, however, entry level seems largely inadequate to describe this 240-horse power engine with 300 Newton metres of torque, mated to an eight-speed transmission - and I mean eight forward gears, plus reverse. So in theory, while it's supposed to be tiptronic because it comes with full paddle shift, one might enjoy full tiptronic.

Because the power is available on demand, much earlier and for longer across the RPM band, you could easily exceed the speed limit without realising it and the traffic cop issuing that ticket could be forgiven for thinking you were laughing at her/him. The thing is that she/he would not be aware that while you had been glowing in the aftermath of that enjoyable quick sprint, now you were toying with the idea of giving them a run for their money.

Luxury with technology

As seamless as the shifting of the gears, the car's manufacturers have blended luxury with technology, upping the safety ante. For example, while the driver is reversing the rearview camera, in addition to showing objects, also clearly illustrates the intended trajectory, based on the direction you plan to go.

Hand-stitched leather is consistent with the Jaguar legacy and while the creature comforts are impressive, I still miss the leaping jaguar icon which has over the years been a hallmark. This has now been replaced with the face of a jaguar emblazoned on the front grill.

I was, however, mollified by the explanation from Jackson that this was done in the interest of safety, with a number of persons having been injured by the old trademark icon during pedestrian crashes.

Whatever else her face may be showing, at heart the 2013 Si Jaguar XF is one powerful beast, ready to pounce!