Tuesday 6th March 2012

Geneva 2012: Jaguar XF Sportbrake

Crucial estate version of Jaguar XF makes its show debut

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The Jaguar XF Sportbrake has made its public debut at the Geneva motor show.

The new estate, only the second full series-production Jaguar wagon, will pitch the company into a potentially lucrative but hotly contested market, putting it up against the likes of the Audi A6 Avant, BMW 5 Series touring and Mercedes E-Class estate.

In terms of wagony bits, the XF Sportbrake offers 1,675 litres of cargo space with the seats down, remote-fold levers for the rear seats, an extra 48mm of headroom, or a soft-close tailgate that can be specified with a fully powered open/close functionality.

There's also self-levelling rear air suspension, and an Adaptive Dynamics system that continuously monitors the suspension and can adjust damping rates accordingly up to 500 times a second.

Moving away from thoroughly sensible practicalities, it's also worth mentioning that the XF Sportbrake matches the saloon for rigidity and aerodynamic drag. From launch, the Sportbrake will be diesel only, with the 2.2-litre four-cylinder and two versions of Jaguar's 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel available - the higher of which will be the 442lb ft, 275hp version.

There is also rumour of a V8 petrol version, but there's no official word on that just yet.

[Itsallicanafford]

...Like this, alot...Well done Jag...

[V8mate]

Itsallicanafford said:

...Like this, alot...Well done Jag...

Me too. Though not at all in white.

[Bailiff]

Absolutely gorgeous car. If only I had the wife, kids and dog to justify getting a car like this.

Suppose I'd also need the pay packet to justify the purchase to my bank manager aswell!

[Venari]

I'm not entirely seeing the value of crowing about rigidity and aero if you're launching it with the poverty-plus diseasal engine without even hinting at a firebreathing supercharged V8 gas-guzzler...

[0a]

-10 points for launching in white, horrible.

[JCW]

Should sell in bucket loads, but I'm hoping it looks better in the flesh and less Mondeo like than it does in these images. Agree, a nice supercharged V8 version would be a hoot.

[Ex Boy Racer]

is there a single, bling-tastic feature that they've missed?

[Garlick]

0a said:

-10 points for launching in white, horrible.

It does mean you can clearly see the bodywork though and I think that's a good idea. It helps us see the real shape of the new car easily.

[Logie]

Great looking estate, even in the white!

[V41LEY]

Can someone photoshop in black wheels in place of alloys.
Interested in how that looks on the car ?
Ta

[lankybob]

Ex Boy Racer said:

is there a single, bling-tastic feature that they've missed?

Well you should know, being the Ex Boy Racer and all.

[Donkey62]

I rather have a Mondeo estate for lot less money this doesn't seem to offer anything unqiue, desirable or even just better than Audi, BMW, Mercedes and dare i say far eastern offerings too.

[dtrump]

Garlick said:

0a said:

-10 points for launching in white, horrible.

It does mean you can clearly see the bodywork though and I think that's a good idea. It helps us see the real shape of the new car easily.

I think you'll find a shade of silver would have done a better job

[Wills2]

JCW said:

Should sell in bucket loads,

And it needs to as they aren't moving enough metal at the moment.

[BrewsterBear]

I'd go as far as saying that it's the prettiest everyman estate on the market (or soon, anyway). It's just a shame that it doesn't seem to have any decent spec to back that up.

[soad]

Logie said:

Great looking estate, even in the white!

Fully agree.

[sunsurfer]

dtrump said:

I think you'll find a shade of silver would have done a better job

I think silver is one of the worst colours for the XF it makes it look too anonymous. I would suggest dark blues and greens.

[Garlick]

dtrump said:

I think you'll find a shade of silver would have done a better job

Then everyone would have said 'how dull'. They can't win

[dukebox9reg]

Have to say i like it in white. Im forever detailling my cars and white looks so nice when its cleaned up (also the only colour really that hides scuffs and chips)If i was to order one it would be in white. Just wish Jag would invest in a greater engine range. A turbo petrol to match the raft of new 4 pots from BMW would be nice, something on par with the 528.

[SWoll]

Got to agree with the "anti white" brigade here, doesn't suit the car at all and makes the back end look even more like a Mondeo.

And please don't photoshop black wheels onto it, I think I might cry at that....

Venari said:

I'm not entirely seeing the value of crowing about rigidity and aero if you're launching it with the poverty-plus diseasal engine without even hinting at a firebreathing supercharged V8 gas-guzzler...

Because the lower end versions should handle and ride badly?

The diesel engine will be by far the biggest seller and a very important model for Jaguars future.