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Interior Design
As with the exterior, the cabin of the XF has been upgraded to ensure it retains
that essential Jaguar appeal, creating a sense of sporting luxury by using the
finest combinations of premium quality, crafted materials, complemented by the
use of intuitive technology.
A centrally-mounted touch-screen offers control of the navigation system and a
range of other functions, while the switchgear features new soft-touch matt
black paint and a soft phosphor blue illumination theme throughout. The metallic
Aurorafinish to the majority of the brightwork complements new aluminum and
veneer accents. More sculpted, heavily bolstered front seats introduced for the
2012 model year hint at the dynamic potential of the car and feature a
'racetrack' design device that creates a sporting bucket seat aesthetic.
For the XF Sportbrake, entirely new rear seats, which allow generous seating for
five, are comprehensively redesigned and feature an integral ski hatch and a
60:40 split. Rear passengers also enjoy an additional 48mm of headroom.
Remote-fold levers situated just inside the tailgate allow the rear seats to be
folded down with just one touch to provide an uninterrupted load surface that is
1970 mm in length. The practicality of the XF Sportbrake's load-space is further
enhanced by its width which allows, for instance, sideways stowage of golf
clubs. The tailgate features soft-close power latching and can be specified with
a fully powered open and close function.
The load-space displays Jaguar's typical attention to detail as it is trimmed in
materials identical in quality to the XF Sportbrake's cabin. The central portion
of the load-space floor can be lifted to reveal an extra, hidden storage
compartment and can also fold and lock into position to quickly and easily
divide up the bay.
The practicality of the load-space is extended through the inclusion of a floor
rail system, which allows the quick fitment and release, for example, of
optional nets and retaining bars to compartmentalise the space. A wide range of
accessories engineered for the XF Sportbrake will allow owners to extend its
versatility still further by organizing or extending its carrying capacity.
A towbar can also be specified - when not needed the tow-hitch can be removed
quickly, stored in a dedicated stowage space inside the boot, and replaced with
a rear valance cover to disguise its mounting point. When fitted with the towbar,
the XF Sportbrake's Trailer Sway Mitigation system is activated. This uses the
car's Anti-Lock Braking and stability control systems to reduce the risk of
'snaking' when towing.
Engine and Chassis
The XF Sportbrake firmly emphasizes both the practical and sporting sides of its
character through its powertrain choices. Exclusively fitted with Jaguar's range
of four-cylinder 2.2-liter and V6 3.0-liter diesel engines, the XF Sportbrake
offers an exemplary combination of refinement, fuel economy, low emissions,
plentiful power and refinement.
The 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine is offered in combination with an eight-speed
gearbox and Jaguar's Intelligent Stop-Start system, enabling the XF Sportbrake
to offer the performance and driver appeal expected of a Jaguar with reduced
emissions and improved fuel consumption. When the car comes to a halt a range of
parameters are automatically assessed and, if suitable, the engine is stopped. A
Twin Solenoid Starter then restarts the engine in less time than it takes the
driver's foot to move from the brake to the accelerator. The system also offers
'change of mind' functionality, enabling the engine to quickly restart even
during its rundown phase to allow the driver to, for example, exploit a gap in
traffic at a junction.
Jaguar's 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine is offered in two states of tune in the
XF Sportbrake, both mated to the same eight-speed gearbox that in all models
offers driver control via steering wheel-mounted paddles. The range-topping 'S'
model offers 275 hp (202 kW) and 442 lb-ft (600 Nm) of torque, fulfilling all
the requirements of an enthusiastic driver.
Every derivative of the XF Sportbrake is fitted as standard with self-leveling
air suspension at the rear to replace the coil springs fitted to the saloon.
This system has been developed and tuned by Jaguar's chassis engineers to offer
the same linear responses and ensure the XF Sportbrake offers identical dynamic
attributes in terms of ride and handling as the saloon while keeping the car
level even when fully laden.
Additionally, all XF Sportbrake models are available with the Jaguar Adaptive
Dynamics system which continuously monitors the suspension and, courtesy of
active dampers, can alter damping rates up to 500 times a second to ensure
optimal stability and handling with no loss of comfort. The system also allows
the driver - at the touch of a button - to alter suspension and throttle
response parameters to increase the level of involvement.
The intuitive use of driving technology is also evident in the XF Sportbrake via
safety features including Adaptive Front Lighting, which deflects headlamp beam
into corners, while intelligent high beam functionality automatically switches
between low and high beam when appropriate. Adaptive Cruise Control enables the
XF Sportbrake to monitor vehicles around it, automatically braking should a
slower vehicle be ahead, then resuming set speed once the road is clear.
Operating in conjunction with Adaptive Cruise Control is an Intelligent
Emergency Brake system which, in the event of detecting the necessity for a
severe stop, applies maximum optimal braking force.
Jaguar XF Sportbrake: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications
