2016 Jaguar XF

What do you get when you pair a first generation XF with a new XE? Why, the second-generation XF, of course. 

Presented in London today ahead of its motor show premiere in New York next week, the 2016 XF looks eerily familiar. In fact, at a first glance, most will probably have a hard time telling the differences over the outgoing car, with the devil being in the details such as the more upright front grille, Jaguar's first ever full-LED headlamps, the addition of a third side window and the stubbier and slightly more athletic rear. 

Have the German premium brands and their evolutionary tactics rubbed off on Jaguar? You could say that, but in doing so, you forget that Jaguar itself kept the same design language for the XJ for over four decades… 

Speaking about the exterior styling of the new XF, Jaguar design boss, Ian Callum, said: 

“In creating the all-new XF, as a design team we have been driven by discipline, the discipline of simplicity. Every exterior line on the XF has a clear purpose – nothing is superfluous. Achieving that simplicity takes time and requires great determination; it’s all too easy to add lines to a car, but much harder to add character by leaving lines out." 

The same "discipline of simplicity" can be seen inside as well, with the new XF once again blending things we've seen on both the current XF and the smaller XE. Owners of the first XF will feel right at home for the most part, with new elements including the central air vents now positioned on top of a larger 10.2-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, the fully-digital and reconfigurable 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster and the F-Type-like steering wheel. 

"Inside too, we have been driven by the desire to ensure the XF’s cabin is as comforting as it is comfortable," said Callum. "New technology, including our new 10.2-inch touchscreen, is combined carefully with materials that cosset and reassure. The all-new XF has a clear sense of calm and strength, both outside and inside – and I’m proud of my team for delivering that." 

While there's a sense of familiarity with the design, truth is that, the 2016 XF is an all-new car underneath. Whereas the current model uses Ford underpinnings, its replacement adopts a stretched version of the XE's iQ[AI] aluminum-intensive architecture, which Jaguar says, "enables class-leading weight: 80kgs or 176 lbs lighter than the competition". It's also stiffer than the structure used on the outgoing XF. 

"Featuring 75 per cent aluminum, the architecture enables weight savings of up to 190kg or 419 pounds over the outgoing model and an increase in torsional stiffness of up to 28 per cent," said Jaguar. 

The new architecture led to a different packaging and altered proportions for the car, which while 7mm shorter and 3mm lower than the previous XF, has a 51mm longer wheelbase at 2,960mm wheelbase for improved rear seat space with more legroom, knee room and headroom. 

Offering a near 50:50 weight distribution, the new XF features double wishbone and Integral Link suspension, along with an Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) and the firm's Jaguar Configurable Dynamics system that enables the driver to individually tailor settings of the dampers, steering, engine and eight-speed automatic transmission. 

The 2016 model introduces Jaguar-Land Rover's new Ingenium engines, including a 2.0-liter turbo diesel in two states of tune with 161hp (167PS) and 380Nm or 178hp (180PS) and 430Nm. When paired to a six-speed manual gearbox (there's also an optional 8-speed automatic), the 161hp model returns 104g/km of CO2 emissions. 

Moving up you'll discover a 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo diesel with 296hp (300PS) and 700Nm, and a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 delivering 375hp (380PS) and 450Nm, both linked to a standard eight-speed auto. Jaguar did not release details about the rest of the engine range, nor did it mention which ones will be available in North America. 
Production of the new XF will take place at Jaguar Land Rover’s Castle Bromwich Plant alongside F-TYPE and XJ.

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2013 Jaguar XF and XJ

 New engines including a 335-horsepower (340PS) supercharged V6 for the XF and XJ and a 237hp (240PS) 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four for the XF, as well as the widespread use of an 8-speed automatic.

But the British brand wasn't done yet with the model year changes as today, Jaguar announced the introduction of all-wheel drive to the 2013 XG and XJ ranges.

The new AWD system, which was evidently developed with the help of sister company Land Rover, will be offered exclusively with the 335hp 3.0-liter supercharged V6 and the eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.

Jaguar said that the all-wheel drive variants of the XF and XJ will be offered in the so called "snow-belt" regions in select markets around the world including North America, Russia, China and Continental Europe. At least for the time being, Jaguar has no plans to offer the AWD variants in the UK.

"Our All-Wheel Drive system preserves all the dynamic qualities of our rear-wheel drive Jaguar saloons in terms of handling, steering quality and ride refinement while adding a new depth of ability in low-grip conditions," said Ian Hoban, Vehicle Line Director at Jaguar.

"The system delivers all the traction benefits you would expect, but the AWD XF and XJ are still very rewarding cars to drive - which was exactly our intention," he added.

Under normal driving and weather conditions, Jaguar's electronically controlled AWD system sends a small amount of “pre-load” torque to the front wheels as the vehicle starts off, and then most torque to the rear wheels once underway.

When necessary, the electronically controlled wet multi-plate clutch can transfer up to 50 percent of available torque to the front wheels, either in response to wheel slip or to pre-empt the possibility of rear-wheel slip, according to the automaker.

The driver can also select a 'Winter Mode', in which case, the system directs more “pre-load” torque to the front wheels before switching to a 30:70 torque share between front and rear to maximize traction on slippery surfaces.

Jaguar says that its engineers recalibrated the suspension and steering systems in the AWD XF and XJ to "match their rear-wheel drive counterparts' driving dynamics".

In the U.S., the 2013 XF AWD 3.0L Supercharged V6 model starts from $53,000 while its 2013 XJ counterpart with the same driveline and engine from $76,700, excluding an $875 destination and delivery charge.

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Jaguar XF Sportbrake

At a first glance, Jaguar's new XF Sportbrake is a great creation, although those abnormally large LED tail lamps look somewhat odd from certain angles.

Jaguar says that every panel on the XF Sportbrake, from the B-Pillar and back, is completely new. Added touches include the silver signature line running the entire length of the car while the gloss black C-Pillar is reminiscent of the XJ limousine. The polished roof rails will be offered as an option.

The estate model shares the same 1,877mm width and 2,909mm wheelbase with the sedan but is 5mm longer at 4,966mm while also offering 48mm of extra rear headroom.

According to Jaguar, the transformation from saloon to estate has added a little under 70kg or 154 pounds to the car's kerb weight.

In terms of boot space, the XF Sportbrake offers 550-liters with the rear seats up, which is less than the BMW 5-series Touring's 560-liters the Audi A6 Avant's 565-liters and the Mercedes-Benz's capacious 695-liters.

With the seats folded, the total volume grows to 1,675-litres, which is slightly more than the BMW's 1,670 liters but less than the Audi's 1,680-liters and far less than the Mercedes-Benz's monstrous 1,950-liters.

To justify its more practical side, the Sportbrake comes equipped with remote fold levers mounted within the boot area to lower the rear seats, while additional LEDs light onto the ground when the tailgate is open. You also get a panel in the boot that splits into three sections and a new tray fitted under the load area to store valuable items.

Under the sheetmetal, Jaguar's engineers added a self-leveling rear air suspension, which replaces that saloon's standard coil springs. The company claims that the XF Sportbrake offers identical dynamic attributes in terms of ride and handling as the sedan while keeping the car level even when fully laden.

"The XF Sportbrake matches the saloon in both aerodynamics and torsional stiffness," said Mike Cross, Jaguar's Chief Engineer. "The use of air suspension has allowed us to create a car that captures the unique Jaguar combination of refinement and outstanding dynamic abilities regardless of its load," he added.

Power for the estate model comes exclusively from diesel engines in 2.2-litre four cylinder and 3.0-litre six-cylinder forms, each driving the rear wheels though an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

While not available yet, Jaguar's Chief Designer Ian Callum has confirmed the development of a range topping XFR variant powered by a 510HP supercharged V8 gasoline engine, which will be introduced at a later date.

The new XF Sportbrake will make its public debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show before it reaches showrooms later this year.

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