For those of you in the U.S., Jaguar has finally posted the update to the "Build Your XF" configurator on their website, and as of today it features the new 2012 models. Don't be fooled by the 2011 model they still show elsewhere on the website. I suppose it's a work-in-progress...

 

Thanks for the tip. I have been anxiously awaiting this information in order to spec out the 2012 XF I want to buy this fall here in the US. Most important is to get a good idea of the interior color combinations as they have changed from 2011. I am in love with the London Tan interior but not sure I want to pay $6K more for the Portfolio over the Base. I know I am going with Ebony or Ultimate Black exterior so I think black exterior with black interior might be a bit much. Interested to hear what other owners think.

 

Yeah, their packaging is frustrating, even if it isn't unique to Jaguar. I had already decided on the Portfolio, to get what last year's Premium offered, but I also wanted the new Piano Black veneer - but I don't want to pay $3k for the Sport Pack in order to get it. It's sad that they patted themselves on the back last year for having so many features as standard equipment and then this year make them chargeable options.

As for colors, I agree with you on having a lighter interior with a dark exterior. I'm going for the Lunar Grey exterior and would love to get the complementing Dove interior that I had in my X-Type, but...not available. So I'll be getting the "warm charcoal" instead. Not quite black, but still a little too dark for my tastes.

I actually would prefer to get the Ebony or Ultimate Black, but as others here have pointed out, it's just so hard to keep it looking good. But for those who can afford a daily wash - sharp indeed! Good luck with yours...

 

Hi, neighbor (I work in Geneva!).

You do get quite a bit of other stuff with the Portfolio, so 6 grand isn't too bad. I have an ultimate black/charcoal/piano black XKR and I don't think it is too much black, especially since the leather is actually a warm dark gray.

What frustrates me is that I can't get the exact combination of veneer and interior color that I want. The new Sport Package includes the better seats from the XFR (love the London tan and charcoal), but it only comes with piano black wood. The PB in my XKR is a dust-and-smudge magnet and I don't want another car with it. I want burl or carbon fiber and the only way to do it is to buy the pieces and have them installed (big bucks, too).

The color selection will change later in the model year because the shortage of paint from Japan should be remedied.

 

Thanks for the tip. The XKs are also new as well. The car configurators are one of the great time-wasters known to man however.

 

Frogdogfan.... Yes here in the lovely Fox Valley and a Geneva resident for 7 years. Great place to raise a family. I guess what I am having trouble justifying for the $6K with the Portfolio is that aside from the 19" Rims and Tires (I actually like the look of the Vela's on the base XF over the Caravela on the Portfolio but have yet to see them live) and the upgraded interior I don't think the front & rear park aid, rear camera, premium floormats, and adaptive headlamps are necessary options. Wish I could just order the base and pay $1000 for the option to get London Tan interior. I think you are right that the warm charcoal interior may not be overkill with the black exterior. I'll take a look at the 2011's as that doesn't seem to be a change in the MY's

The other thing I am wondering is what is the defining difference between Ebony or Midnight Black (which replaces Ultimate Black in 2012 MY). MB is metallic but anyone have a clue as to how to characterize the difference in blacks?

 

Just had a play on the new configurator. I am not sure my ideal XFR spec is worth the $20k premium over the car I bought a month ago! Of the new items, Piano Black veneer is the one I would have. In white with Black Pack the whole car looks that bit meaner than my black/chrome one, but apart from the rear diffuser and maybe the headlights, the external changes are not really a step forward, in my view. I prefer the new steering wheel too! Time waster indeed...

 

Midnight is a temporary color until the Ultimate Black is available again (plant destroyed in Japan disaster). Ultimate is a xirallic paint (meaning many different colors of reflective sparkle), whereas I believe Midnight is a regular metallic black. I have Ultimate and it is spectacular, especially when it has been professionally detailed to remove the swirl marks that the dealer will inevitably create when they attempt to polish it at delivery (grrr).

Ebony is just your nice basic black, not bluish or grayish...just black.

Have you seen the Caviar color in person? Quite unique and classy.

 

PDI'ed a 2012 XF the other day. Not bad, some interior and exterior changes obviously, but pretty much the same car. The touch screen is more user friendly. Not that it wasn't before, but you'll see.