It carries the credit of having its claim being tested and proven under local driving conditions.
The following story will provide an insight on the new Jaguar XF 2.2D Fuel Efficiency Challenge.
Last December, Leonard and his son Alvin invited me for dinner at Tanglin Club.
Of course, cars have always been one of the subjects which we speak about whenever we meet.
At that time, Len just bought a C-Class Estate powered by a 2.2 litre diesel engine.
He impressed upon me how his new car would easily clock more than 800km on a full tank of fuel.
Back home, my son Bingo was also experiencing high mileage while driving his company’s Fiat Doblo 1.9 Diesel.
When Angie called me last month to do a 1000-km drive with new Jaguar XF 2.2 Diesel using only 1 tank of fuel, I was more than ready to accept the challenge.
Hence, Angie went ahead to discuss the execution plan with the car company.
We finally set off for Malaysia on Friday early morning, 24 Nov 2011.
The unit which I drove was registered the day before and barely run in.
I had 2 female passengers (Corinne from Wearnes Automotive and Jun from MediaCorp) and was pleased with the overall consumption of 5.1L/100km.
In fact, the car peaked at 4.6L/100km shortly after Pagol along the North South Highway.
This picture was taken during one of our breaks near KL International Airport.
When we returned to the Jaguar showroom on the same evening, the trip meter recorded 1,021 kms while the onboard computer displayed a remaining range capable of reaching Desaru!
Last Friday, we repeated the same routine but with added formalities.
SMSA Deputy President Harold Netto was at the Jaguar Showroom to witness the ‘tank sealing’ procedure and to flag off the event.
This time round, I had 3 passengers – Jun from MediaCorp plus Glenn Ong and Flying Dutchman (FD) from Class 95 FM's Morning Express Show.
The DJs injected some life into the rather monotonous drive with their hourly radio ‘live’ reporting. Glenn and FD are seen here roving via cellular phone prior to flagging off.
Inevitably, the pair added weight to the car which resulted in a higher overall consumption of 5.7L/100km. However, given the following parameters of the test, the consumption figures from both trips remain highly respectable:
(a.) The car must be taken off the shelf (read showroom) i.e. no modification or whatsoever mechanical work allowed. Increase in tyre pressure was capped at 10% above manufacturer’s recommendations;
(b.) The route must include a balanced mix of highways, B roads and city driving. In fact, during the actual event, we were adversely affected by jams (due to accidents and rush hours traffic) and thunderous showers; and
(c.) The driver must observe road safety at all times. Therefore, beating traffic lights, free-wheeling and other forms of dangerous driving were strictly prohibited. For record, our moving average speed for both trips was 80km/h and the climate control system was set at 23.5 degrees.
Here’s another unit of the XF driven by Angie.
Angie’s car carried SMSA official cum cameraman Eddie Ong, Wayne and Raymond from MediaCorp and Wearnes Automotive respectively.
It is interesting to note that Angie was registering equally respectable consumption figures – a testimony to the fuel efficiency of the XF.
Eddie has always been a fan of Jaguar. I remember he bought a white Jag years ago and drove it till the COE expired. Thus, the event must have pleasantly taken him down the memory lane.
Having spent such extensive hours behind the wheel of the new Jaguar XF 2.2 D, I would like to take this opportunity to summarise my views on the car.
1. Engine - Useful torque and highly responsive.
2. Handling – Sharper than the pre-facelift 3.0L V6 model.
3. Ride – Firm, not unlike its German counterparts.
4. Comfort – Great ambience although let down by poor leg room.
5. Others – Engine Stop-Start function needs further refinement.
Verdict: Worthy contender for ‘2011 The Straits Times Car of the Year’ award.
Story by Leslie Chang
