The new XF is here. Jaguar’s mid-range was driven 240-feet along a high-wire by British stunt man Jim Dowdall as part of a dramatic unveiling at the Royal Dock in Canary Wharf, London.
Jaguar’s new XF is 75 per cent aluminium, allowing it to weigh up to 190kg less than the outgoing model. Torsional stiffness is improved by up to 28 per cent, while the car is 7mm shorter and 3mm lower but has a 51mm longer wheelbase for greater rear leg room.
Ingenium engines first seen in the forthcoming entry-level XE are said to make the XF the most efficient car in its class, with a mere 104g/km of CO2 emissions spewed out by the 2.0-litre 163PS, 380Nm diesel.
A 180PS variant of the same 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel with 430Nm of torque will also be available. Both can be equipped with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic.
Above that is a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 that develops 300PS and 700Nm of torque and a 3.0-litre supercharged V6 that ups the ante with 380PS and 450Nm, both of which are only available with the aforementioned eight-speed transmission.
The new XF is fitted with a number of clever systems, including All-Surface Progress Control for low-speed driving in adverse conditions, which takes care of braking and the throttle to ensure maximum traction.
There’s also Electric Power Assisted Steering, which has been tuned for improved steering feel and response, and Jaguar Configurable Dynamics system first seen in the F-Type, the latter making it possible to tailor the damper, steering, engine and gear settings to your liking.
Inside is a 10.2-inch InControl Touch Pro infotainment display with Dual View, a clever feature that lets the driver look at, say, navigation while the front passenger watches a DVD. A configurable 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster, meanwhile, deals with speed, fuel economy and the other usual stuff.
Jaguar will build the new XF alongside the F-Type and XJ at Jaguar Land Rover’s Castle Bromwich plant.
Performance and fuel economy figures will be released on the 1st of April ahead of its public debut at the New York International Auto Show two days later. Stay tuned.
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