Jaguar has returned to the estate executive segment
with the all-new XF Sportbrake. The brand's latest model is based on the second-generation saloon and
was presented at the brand's Castle Bromwich plant, in UK, where it will hit
the assembly lines soon.
Jaguar says the new XF Sportbrake delivers a near
perfect 50:50 front-to-rear weight distribution, features a standard air
suspension to help it carry heavier loads, and can also be specified with
all-wheel drive and the brand's Intelligent Driveline Dynamics (IDD), which
eliminates understeer and makes the car's steering agile.
Other advanced software functions developed by
Jaguar Land Rover that can be added to the executive estate are the All Surface
Progress Control and Adaptive Surface Response, which, together with the
aforementioned IDD, improve its traction in low-grip situations and make it
corner exactly as the saloon.
The engine options carryover from the
four-door XF, so customer will get to choose between the 2.0-liter diesel in
three output levels: 163 PS, 180 PS and 240 PS, or the
3.0-liter V6 diesel rated at 300 PS. Gasoline options include the
2.0-liter unit that makes 250 PS, which can also be specified with AWD
on the Chinese market, and the US-only 3.0-liter V6 lump that delivers 380 PS. There's no word yet on a potential successor to the previous 550 PS Jaguar XFR-S Sportbrake.
Visually, the new Jaguar XF Sportbrake is similar to
the saloon at the front end, whereas the other end adopts a set of LED lights
that resemble those used on the F-Type. A racked rear window line makes the
vehicle appear sportier.
Jaguar has equipped the new estate with a cabin air
purification technology that prevents pollutants from entering. Other key
features inside include the brand's infotainment system with a 10-inch
touchscreen display, smartphone integration, Meridian premium sound system,
remote engine starting, Wi-Fi hotspot, proactive vehicle monitoring, and an
Activity Key that can be worn on the driver's wrist, and removes the need for a
conventional key.
The new Jaguar XF Sportbrake also features advanced
driver assistance systems such as autonomous emergency raking, lane departure
warning, lane keep assist, driver condition monitor, traffic sign recognition
with intelligent speed limiter, adaptive cruise control with queue assist,
blind spot monitor, reverse traffic detection, 360-degree camera view, and a
semi-automated park assist function.
Future buyers of the car should know that it is
actually 6 mm shorter than its predecessor, but it does ride on a 51 mm longer
wheelbase, which provides improved interior legroom and headroom. Boot space
capacity with the rear seats up is 565 liters, but fold them down and
you will eventually get up to 1,700 liters. And if this is not
enough, then you should know that the new XF Sportbrake can also carry up to
100 kg on its roof, courtesy of a 320-liter luggage box that
can be ordered from the options list.
Jaguar have already opened the order books for the
car, which starts from £ 34,910 (US$ 44,335) in the United Kingdom for the
2.0d 163PS manual Prestige trim, which makes it £ 2,420 (US$ 3,073) more expensive
than the XF saloon, and almost £ 3,500 (US$ 4,445) more affordable than the BMW
5-Series Touring.