No, not those kind of 4x4s - just AWD versions of the XF and XJ for export markets only
Jaguar has landed a light but important punch on the nose of Audi and other premium rivals with the launch of all-wheel drive versions of the XF and XJ. We’ll have to applaud from afar however, because the cars, with their subtle 3.0 AWD badging, aren’t coming to the UK.
AWD system paired with blown V6
The reason, Jag says, is that AWD accounts for just five per cent of the UK luxury saloon market. That’s compared to about a third of the US market, where 80 per cent of these are heading. The rest will be split between Russia and continental Europe.
As if to make that point, the only engine variant to get the AWD set-up the 340hp supercharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol. So for us, the X-type remains the only all-wheel-drive Jaguar (there’s a statement begging to be disproved).
Of course this system is a lot more sophisticated than the permanent ‘Traction 4’ system on X-Type.
The eight-speed auto box has been fitted with a transfer case with an electronically operated coupling that can direct up to 50 per cent of the torque to the front wheels if slip is detected.
Half the torque can be sent to the front
That detection is the work of sensors on everything from the wheels to the steering wheel and is long way from the old viscous coupling on the original X-Types (even that got binned for later AWD models). Jaguar reckons there is no penalty in terms of ride quality, agility or driver enjoyment and has given the AWD cars new springs, dampers and anti-roll bars up front. There’s also a new steering knuckle to better replicate the feedback of rear-wheel-drive cars. It doesn’t impact on fuel economy too much: 29mpg versus 30mpg on the XF.
We spoke to Theo Gassmann, director of advanced engineering at globally renowned (and British) driveshaft and transmission makers GKN to ask exactly what good AWD systems do. “You can reduce oversteering tendency in slippery conditions,” he tells us. “It means less brake intervention to stabilise the car.”
Most AWD versions will be sold in US
Essentially, he says, there’s less lift-off oversteer coming into a corner and less power oversteer coming out. Not great for the likes of Harris, but then these are luxury barges. Audi of course is the master at this, offering Quattro on four engines for the A6 and every engine on the A8 in the UK, among others. BMW is expected to add xDrive versions (operating a very similar system to Jaguar) on its 3 Series in the autumn and maybe the 5 Series next year.
Currently Mercedes doesn’t offer any 4matic saloons or estates either – okay, the R-Class – but the forthcoming AMG A-Class will be AWD.
So, good news if you root for Jaguar as a company, less exciting if you’re in the market for a less scrabbly luxury saloon this winter.
I've been waiting for this - the crossover of LR 4x4 expertise into Jag. I've felt for a while that one facter that draws people out of luxo-barges and into 4x4s in winter grip. PLus, for the mad power outputs of the top-range models, we are reaching sensible limits for 2wd.
I'm just thoroughly disappointented teh UK won't get a look in, given our roads and winters.
In reality though, and with my tin foil hat on, won't we really not be getting this car for the same reason we don't get the AWD BMW 3 series and 5 series sold in Europe?
In Britain we're told they "don't do it in AWD", so just go off and buy the 4x4 instead. I.e. Something by Land Rover, at a larger margin for the company. As is the case of BMW the X1, X3, and X5?
I know its a small market but I really don't believe its so difficult to convert it to RHD.
Oh come on. It's bad enough BMW and Merc saying no to the UK but now a British company that doesn't even do a 4x4 saying no to their home market?! They would score sales even if we didn't ever have snow again as the fuss people make every time it does snow is huge and increases Land Rover orders.
A step in the right direction. Here in Switzerland I've had rear-wheel drive BMWs and 4-wheel drive BMWs and won't be going back to the former: in the snow and ice, even with winter tyres, rear-wheel drive is much inferior.
I did drive the XF before I got my last company car (predictably a BMW) and liked it. But until Jaguar can offer an estate (which I think is coming) with both 4WD and diesel engines (which doesn't appear to be) then they are excluding themselves from my shortlist. I don't think I'm the only one here on the continent doing that. Pity.
Saw one wednesday as i was on way to liverpool from the south west (somewhere along that route). I came to the conclusion the awd version was something i was unaware about, as opposed to a new model. But.. jag... you must make the "AWD" badge smaller before it goes for sale because i could read it from quite a way off! Which is unnessesary!
You'd think, on the basis of the number of AWD saloons/estates that Audi sells in the UK, other makers would see sense and bring their AWD cars to the UK. A friend who works at a BMW dealership is crying out for 5er xDrives.
But for me the most surprising thing about this article is the fact that the X-Type is still for sale! I've spent some time a Jaguar showroom over the last month, and I really thought it had been discontinued.
Jaguar wake up not selling awd versions in the UK is a big mistake
I would have thought so too. Also, according to the diagram, the drive shaft to the front is on the passenger side (in a rhd car) of the gearbox, so they can't use the excuse that the steering column would need to be re-engineered I wouldn't have thought.
But for me the most surprising thing about this article is the fact that the X-Type is still for sale! I've spent some time a Jaguar showroom over the last month, and I really thought it had been discontinued.
I'm pretty sure it has been. The last ones were 09 reg I think. The article states the X-Type is the only AWD Jag, it doesn't state it is currently on sale.
