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Money no object? Jaguar voted most desirable towcar

When it comes to the ultimate towing vehicle often the larger 4 x 4 cars come to mind. Land Rover and Land Cruisers are prevalent in such lists alongside the Volvo and Volkswagen off-roaders, Jeeps and Mitsubishis.

Yet when the panel at the Towcar Awards 2009 decided on the most desirable towcar that money can buy, they chose different.

The ‘Money No Object’ Award was won by the Jaguar XF as the most desirable towing vehicle over 39 other competitors. The Jaguar was chosen by experts from magazines Practical Caravan and What Car as well as The Camping and Caravanning Club.

In testing the judges considered the stability of the XF when towing, as well as it’s overall practicality. Other attributes considered included the cost of owning and resale value.

Judges on the panel included editor in chief of Autocar Steve Cropley, who is a former European Car of the Year juror. Also judging was Sue Taylor who is features editor of Camping and Caravanning Magazine and experienced at towing horseboxes and trailers.

David Motton was the head judge at the Towcar Awards, and gave this comment: “If money was no object, this is the car we’d choose to do our towing with. The 3.0-litre Diesel S engine is superb, yet it’s also savagely powerful when the occasion demands, pulling car and caravan from 30-60mph in just 8.3 seconds.”

“It pulled a caravan securely between cones at speeds which would have had lesser cars sliding off the track. Driven at sensible speeds, it’s a serene and relaxed experience. In spite of the performance, it’s an easy car to drive smoothly, with precise steering and remarkable agility for such a big car, towing or solo. It is quick, stable and comfortable – if you’re feeling flush this is the car.”

The car above is pictured towing the new Airstream caravans launched this year which have been adapted for European roads. With the heavy kerb weight of the large Airstream, how well did the XF handle towing the American trailer?

A press officer from Jaguar UK explained ‘The photographer took the Airstream away for a weekend and the Jaguar XF responded extremely well to bearing the significant weight of the caravan’.

Geoff Cousins is the Managing Director of Jaguar UK and he cited the green credentials of the big cat. “This fantastic new Jaguar has best-in-class residual values, class-leading fuel economy combined with unrivalled performance and reduced CO2 emissions – making it an irresistible choice for the towing customer.”

Caravan Times has made inquiries and ascertained that the tow bar for the Jaguar XF is a dealer fit option only.

A tow bar costs £288 while the required module is an additional £115. The recommended fitting time for the tow bar, module and electrics kit is 3 hours 45 minutes.