Jaguar's fortunes seem to be on the up following its recent takeover by Indian heavyweight Tata Motors. In the past decade, under Ford's direction and with a renewed commitment to development, despite a limited R&D budget, Jaguar has gradually begun to turn out better and better cars.
Early improvements came in the retro-styled S-type developed from the Ford Mondeo in the late 1990s, followed by the capable X-type, which was successful enough to keep the wolf from the door.
In 2005, the British marque upped the ante with a complete reworking of its 10-year-old XK range, which made one wonder whether a little belt-tightening and some deft design work was the key to innovation in the motoring industry.
And now that Tata has completed its US$2 billion buyout of Land Rover and Jaguar, there hasn't been a more anticipated Jag than the XF in years. It seems that Ford saved its best until last before selling up.
Jaguar's first coupe-like saloon, the XF is such a well-rounded car that it's more than capable of challenging Hong Kong's perennial favourites - the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes E-Class - for some of the lucrative mid-range executive market.
Another coup for Jaguar's Scottish design director, Ian Callum, the XF's exterior styling is both understated and strikingly dynamic for a luxury executive car. The strong grille emphasises the sedan's breadth and solidity, and a low nose, rising waist and roofline that sweeps back over its chunky haunches help imbue the XF with a sense of potency.
