What's the news?
Jaguar has announced its latest engine line-up and pricing strategy for the XF Sportbrake, the manufacturer's first estate car of this size. Prices start at £31,940, a figure that is higher than the model's immediate rivals from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi.
Exterior
No further details have been announced regarding exterior detailing; however, various alloy wheel sizes and variants will undoubtedly be available from launch.
Interior
A new audio system from Meridian will replace the XF's existing Bowers and Wilkins system. Meridian's high quality speaker and amplifier set-up promises to deliver precise but powerful sound quality to the car's passengers.
Mechanicals
The Sportbrake will be launched with an all-diesel line-up, offering different levels of output from its 2.2- and 3.0-litre V6 powerplants. The existing 2.2-litre engine has been revised for the XF range, and is now available in both 161- and 197hp formats. Both derivatives give CO2 figures starting from 135g/km and fuel economy of 55.4mpg. The 3.0-litre V6 is available in 237- and 271hp forms, each delivering 163g/km and 46mpg on the combined cycle.
Both the saloon and Sportbrake guises of the XF will also gain Jaguar's eight-speed automatic transmission and stop-start as standard.
New to the XF saloon is a supercharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine to replace the naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8. The new unit produces 337hp and pushes the XF to 62mph in 5.9 seconds while returning 30mpg. This engine is also destined for the forthcoming F-Type sports car.
Anything else?
At the same times as announcing the engines and prices for the XF Sportbrake, Jaguar revealed the new XFR Speed Pack to headline the range. Featuring a new front splitter and rear wing, the 503hp XFR Speed Pack has had its top speed limiter raised to 174mph - alongside a revised engine and gearbox setup.
James Giddings - 2 Jul 2012