2009 Jaguar XF

You'll notice the heartbeat every time you enter the driver's seat of the new 2009 Jaguar XF sedan. Not just your ticker -- the car's, too.

Slide into the cockpit, and immediately your eyes are drawn to the keyless start/stop button on the center console: It's beating a rhythmic red, as if the XF is coming alive. Press it, and the supercharged 4.2-liter V-8 twists into a muted whir, concealed air vents in the dash glide open, an innovative rotary shift knob -- the so-called JaguarDrive Selector -- rises out of the transmission tunnel. You've just witnessed "the Jaguar handshake," the first of several servings of pizzazz that differentiate this striking new four-door from such classmates as the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the BMW 5 Series.

"You may recognize the grille as being inspired by the original 1968 Jag XJ," says Ian Callum, director of Jaguar design. Then his voice grows almost stern. "But the XF is not a retro car." Quite the opposite, in fact. "We need to attract buyers in their 30s and 40s," admits Mike O'Driscoll, Jaguar's managing director. "The XF is an overtly expressive automobile; it's designed to make you smile. And its success is critical to the future of Jaguar Cars."

Make no styling judgments until you've seen the XF in person. Distinctive as it may look in photos, in the metal the XF radiates a modernity and sexiness that simply don't translate to the printed page. The current XJ8 -- admittedly a considerably larger and more traditional sedan -- appears positively baroque in comparison.

The design flair continues inside. Watch out, Audi: The XF will have your celebrated cockpit stylists grumbling with professional jealousy and admiration. A low, nearly seamless dash sweeps from door to door in a smooth, even plane. Flawless twin-needle stitching finishes the edges. A band of textured aluminum frames the air vents, central seven-inch touchscreen (standard on all XFs), and the console's audio and HVAC controls. Also evident is more hand-rubbed tree than in any Jag in decades; buyers will have a choice of American Walnut, Burl Walnut, or Rich Oak. Like its namesake cat, at night this Jaguar shines: Phosphor blue lighting illuminates the instruments and the edges of the controls (much like the Motorola Razr cell phone, which inspired the look). Prepare to make the jump to hyperspace: You're at the glowing helm of your own Millennium Falcon.

Inside the center console lies an available adapter that allows you to operate your iPod or iPhone (music only) via the central touchscreen. The overhead cabin lights activate not with a button but with "JaguarSense" tap -- as does the glovebox (simply press a small target icon on the dash; Jaguar says the shape was inspired by The Who's "Quadrophenia" album cover). While the lights respond perfectly, the glovebox touch-target requires a carefully pointed finger to work (engineers say such precision was necessary to prevent accidental openings). Options include a DVD-based navigation system, a rear parking camera, radar-based blind-spot monitors, and a 440-watt, 13-speaker Bowers and Wilkins audio system with Dolby surround sound (all the aforementioned are standard on the XF Supercharged).