My wife is insistent that she wants to add the Jaguar "Leaper" emblem on the front of our new XF-R. I'm not so sure. I think the smooth lines of this modern and sleek car would be spoiled by the chrome cat jumping off the hood.

What do you guys think... to leap or not to leap?

 

Well as an XK owner I do not have the leaper, but here are a few thoughts in helping you make a decision as to whether or not add your distinctive nose gear.

PROS: makes a great sight at which to aim at other cars with - Is the best indicator of rear tire wear I have ever seen (when the nose of the leaper begins making lazy circles as you come to a stop, one of the rear tires is worn unevenly and or excessively and should be replaced immediately)

CONS: These are technically illegal in the United States as they tend to spear pedestrians in collisions.

Now this leaves us with exactly where to mount the leaper? Most Jag enthusiasts will say about 4" to the rear of the rear licesnce plate, the purists argue it is mounted 4 7/32" to the rear of the rear licesne plate measuring from the eyebrows backward

If you're still unsure about caving to your wifes demands, I did find a thread on the subject at hand. It's entitled...

How to ruin a Jaguar XF in one easy step...



Now the above points to ponder are compiled (and stolen) from various sources around the internet and may or may not accuratly represent my views or opinions (actually they do, just had to put in a disclaimer)

CG

 

Fast, obviously its a subjective decision on your part but I do not believe that the lines of the XF lend itself to the leaper. im on another forum and NOBODY thought that it looked good. I agree with them!!

 

NO NO NO from me, certainly not on an XF.

I know you guys really love them over there, but they're realy more suited to the older classic cars IMO.
We haven't had them over here on X types / S types even for years unless there's a few here n there who may have retro fitted them, even though they are illegal.

 

I have to agree with the previous posts. The lines of the XF are not conducive to having the leaper. When we purchased my wife's XF we thought about it. But I was able to find a picture of a car with it and it did not look right. I'm so glad we did not add it. A few months later I saw an XF at the dealers with the leaper and it did not look good at all.

 

DON'T DO IT!!!

 

Silly looking. The XF is thoroughly modern as all previous Jaguars were supposed to be until Ford thought they had a better idea. They didn't.

 

I was at the Jaguar dealer today and saw a blue XF in the service area with a Leaper screwed into the hood. It looks terrible. The XF is great looking from all sides. I a have a 04 XJ VDP and the Leaper fits. I wouldn't mess with millions of dollars in design.

 

Nooooooooo. It's a throwback to a design era that no longer exists. Not as bad as a vinyl roof on a new Buick, but almost as tasteless. The leaper looked OK up to the X-Type and last-gen XJ, but it just doesn't work on the new cars...unless you're a fan of angler-fish (it looks like their decoy appendage). The growler on the front and the leaper on the back is "heritage" enough.

 

NO DON'T

 

I am fond of leapers but in such models XF, XK they look weird

 

HALF the reason vie always liked Jags was BECAUSE the leaper on the hood!!! I too inquired about it for my XF.
Gotot the dealership and hold it on the hood... Have the mrs step back and look at it, the. You do the same. If YOU TWO like it, get it! It's your car, no one elses.
I've made mods to my XF that "I" wanted... Afterall, I make the payment!!!

 

Speaking of "Leapers"... Does your local Jag dealer have a GIANT one out front of the dealership? Mine does, I wanna steal it for my front yard!!! LOL

 

Alright... I managed to talk my wife out of the Leaper, mostly due to the input of you guys here (after all.. what does her HUSBAND know about anything..!~)

Crisis averted! Thanks, guys!

 

I prefer the XF without but also - wouldn't you worry that someone might try to steal it? I would be more concerned also about the damage it would leave behind.

 

You made the correct decision; the timeline has been restored.

 

I'm glad you didn't leap... at least not on this car... Although my wife has her original leaper from her '84 XJ6 with her at all times in her '06... it's in the console. I'm tease her about using it for a weapon because of its weight... lol