Jaguar XF adds spec, dollars too

Entry to Jaguar’s new XF executive sedan range will be more than $6000 dearer, but the Brit brand says the extra cost is more than offset by equipment and specification improvements.

The all-new MY16 XF range lobs in Australia in Q1, 2016, and will commence with the $82,800 (plus on-road costs) XF Prestige 20d. Previously the base XF 2.2 Premium Luxury retailed from $76,500.

But says Jaguar Australia, the Prestige 20d delivers a considerable lift in refinement, performance and amenity. The base model is powered by the new 132kW ‘Ingenium’ 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The remainder of the engine range is carried over.

Additional equipment over the outgoing 2.2 includes tyre pressure monitoring, and power-folding and auto-dimming exterior mirrors with memory facility. Memory functionality also extends to the steering column and driver’s seat, which is trimmed – like the rest of the cabin – in Taurus leather. Both driver and front passenger gain 10-way electric adjustment with four-way electric lumbar support.

Besides the Ingenium drivetrain perhaps the largest gain arrives in infotainment, with Jaguar’s InControl touch SD navigation system operating via an 8.0-inch touchscreen and supported by a 380W Meridian sound system featuring 11 speakers and a sub-woofer.

Safety hasn’t been discounted, either, with the Prestige 20d offering lane departure warning, autonomous emergency braking and parallel and bay pay assist with parking exit program all standard-fit.

The additions build on an impressive base specification, the XF Prestige 20d riding on 18-inch alloys and sporting Xenon headlamps with signature DRLs. Inside, gloss black veneer abounds and there’s an auto-dim interior mirror, dual-zone climate, interior mood lighting, parking aids to front and rear, rear-view camera and keyless entry and start.

Jaguar’s latest aluminium-intensive architecture weighs up to 190kg less than before while being up to 28 per cent stiffer torsionally. It also gains the new XF 15mm extra leg-room for second-row occupants, along with 24mm more knee room and up to 27mm more headroom. This makes the XF a segment leader in rear-seat space, according to Jaguar.

Although 51mm longer in the wheelbase than its predecessor (at 2960mm), the new XF’s front overhang is 66mm shorter for an overall length of 4954mm; 7mm shorter than the original XF released in 2007.

Jaguar’s All-Surface Progress Control has been adopted into the XF, offering automated throttle and brake operation to aid movement on low-grip surfaces, the driver left only to steer.

Optional features include InControl Touch Pro, which functions off a 10.2-inch touchscreen and provides a ‘virtual’ dash display across a configurable 12.3-inch TFT cluster. Opt for this system and you also gain door-to-door navigation capability and a 17-speaker, 825W Meridian digital surround-sound system. Laser head-up display is also available.

Positioned above the XF Prestige 20d in the range is the XF R-Sport 20d, which shares the base cars powertrain.

Two 177kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol XFs will be offered. The R-Sport 25t is priced at $89,800, with the higher grade XF Portfolio 25t now $97,800. Chose the 250kW supercharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol option (badged 35t) and the prices for the R-Sport and Portfolio rise to $104,800 and $112,800 respectively.

No replacement for the XF-R Supercharged V8 range-topper has yet been announced. For the time being the top performing XR will be the S, available in both 600Nm turbo-diesel and 280kW supercharged petrol versions priced at $120,700 and $128,200.