Jaguar has returned to the estate executive segment with the all-new XF Sportbrake.
Challenging the likes of the BMW 5-Series Touring, Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate, Audi A6 Avant, and Volvo V90, among others, 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.
"As with the XF saloon, every line on the Sportbrake serves a clear purpose, creating a fast sweeping silhouette", said Jaguar Design Director Ian Callum. "This gives the car a sense of speed and a very dynamic appearance. As a result, I think it looks just as sporty as the saloon, if not more so."
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.
As expected, engine options carryover from the four-door XF, so customer will get to choose between the 2.0-liter diesel in three output levels: 163PS (161hp), 180PS (177hp) and 240PS (237hp), or the 3.0-liter V6 diesel rated at 300PS (296hp). Gasoline options include the 2.0-liter unit that makes 250PS (246hp), which can also be specified with AWD on the Chinese market, and the US-only 3.0-liter V6 lump that delivers 380PS (375hp). There's no word yet on a potential successor to the previous 550PS (542hp) 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 6mm shorter than its predecessor, but it does ride on a 51mm longer wheelbase, which provides improved interior legroom and headroom. Boot space capacity with the rear seats up is 565 liters (20cu-ft), but fold them down and you will eventually get up to 1,700 liters (60cu-ft). And if this is not enough, then you should know that the new XF Sportbrake can also carry up to 100kg (220lbs) on its roof, courtesy of a 320-liter (11.3cu-ft) 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 (equal to $44,335) in the United Kingdom for the 2.0d 163PS manual Prestige trim, which makes it £2,420 ($3,073) more expensive than the XF saloon, and almost £3,500 ($4,445) more affordable than the BMW 5-Series Touring.
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