U.S.-bound Jaguar XF Sportbrake revealed
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Jaguar launched a lighter, more dynamic XF for 2016.
The svelte sedan doesn’t get as much attention as its German rivals, but it’s one of the best options in the mid-size luxury segment, especially if you’re fond of spirited driving.
Now the XF has spawned its wagon body style, which Jaguar likes to call a Sportbrake. And the good news is that the vehicle will be sold in the United States. We’re expecting it later this year, as a 2018 model.Jaguar launched a lighter, more dynamic XF for 2016.
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The svelte sedan doesn’t get as much attention as its German rivals, but it’s one of the best options in the mid-size luxury segment, especially if you’re fond of spirited driving.
Now the XF has spawned its wagon body style, which Jaguar likes to call a Sportbrake. And the good news is that the vehicle will be sold in the United States. We’re expecting it later this year, as a 2018 model.
The XF Sportbrake is certainly handsome, though a long rear overhang gives the vehicle a slight tail-heavy appearance. That expanse helps the XF Sportbrake deliver a maximum 60 cubic feet of load space when the rear seats are folded flat. This drops to 20 cubic feet when the rear seats are required.
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Speaking of the design, Jaguar Director of Design Ian Callum said every line on the vehicle serves a purpose. For example, the fast, sweeping silhouette not only delivers a sense of speed but also helps the car achieve a slippery 0.29 drag coefficient.
JAGUAR'S DESIGN SECRETS REVEALED:
There are some new tech features to improve the experience of driving the XF Sportbrake, too. This includes self-levelling suspension at the rear to ensure smooth handling, even when towing loads of 4,400 pounds. On top of this, owners will find a gesture control function for operating the full-length, panoramic roof and a waterproof wristband key that’s ideal for active lifestyles.
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Powertrains should be the same as those in the XF sedan, which in the U.S. means a 180-horsepower inline-4 diesel in base trim and supercharged V-6s delivering 340- and 380-hp further up. Hopefully there will also be a fire-breathing XF SVR Sportbrake to succeed the previous-generation XFR-S Sportbrake.
Potential rivals include the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon, Volvo V90, and to a lesser degree, the new Panamera Sport Turismo. BMW has also announced a 6-Series Gran Turismo as the replacement for its 5-Series GT, though this is more of a hatch than a true wagon.
The wagon is the third and likely final body style for the current-generation XF. In addition to the standard sedan, Jaguar also sells a long-wheelbase XF L sedan in China.
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JAGUAR XF TEST DRIVE: