After proving that it is at its most profitable, refreshing almost the entire Land Rover family, and launching what's been a brand-strengthening sports car - the F-Type, Tata-owned Jaguar Land Rover is now set for its next big launch. After filling a very obvious gap in its portfolio with the 3 Series rival - the XE - which only starts to drive into global markets this summer, Jaguar is on to its next leap. The 2nd generation of it's 5-Series competitor, the XF has been shown for the first time in London. Or above London I should say, as the reveal event involved the car rolling out on high-tension wires above the city's financial district - Canary Wharf!
The new XF is significant, because it needs to reaffirm the success of its predecessor - the car that really brought Jaguar back from the brink. The new car needs to not only be counted amongst the best in its segment, but also now add to the volumes that the smaller XE promises. The two cars together need to become the volumes drivers for the brand in key markets like USA, Western Europe, UK and yes - China.
The XF will make its formal world debut next week at the New York Auto Show, but here's what I can tell you about the car already. It is built on JLR's new aluminium architecture that the XE already uses. This means the car is 75% aluminium and 190 kgs lighter than the current XF. The F-Pace crossover that was announced a few weeks ago will also use the same architecture. Also common to the new models will be JLR's new Ingenium engines. Engine options on the new XF will include the 160 & 176 bhp 4-cylinder, 2.0 litre Ingenium diesels, a 3.0 litre V6 diesel with 294 bhp on offer, a 2.0 litre, 235 bhp turbocharged petrol, and the 333 & 372 bhp supercharged V6 petrols. Other options include all-wheel-drive, torque-on-demand, and like the XE - all-weather capability. Jaguar promises superior handling and control, and the new XF has a near 50:50 weight distribution to help that cause. More technical details will only be available when the car debuts in New York.
Jaguar also promises best-in-class rear legroom, which will be an important attribute for us in India, and a cluster of high-tech gadgetry like a touchscreen infotainment system married to a 17-speaker Meridian sound system. The car's styling clearly carries over the new updated Jaguar face and muscle seen on the XE. Yet it manages to create a greater definition, and moves from elegant to sporty when you compare it to the current XF. In fact Jaguar's new feline styling really began with the first XF, and so it's great to see that design story moving ahead with the XE, F-Pace and now the second XF.
There is a longer saloon-like stance, and there is a wonderful sweep seen on the C-Pillar. The taillight graphic is an evolution of the F-Type's signature - which is now clearly becoming one for the brand itself, with all vehicles except the XJ now sporting this kind of a taillight element. The new XF implies space and agility - though I would have to see the actual car to see if the proportions really are in-line with the first images we have received. This is the first Jaguar to offer full-LED headlights - and they of course boast the new J-shaped daytime running light element too.
Inside, the car offers a cleaner dash, with what seem to be high-quality materials. But lets wait till we see one in the flesh now shall we? It is way too early to speculate what configuration of the car will make it to India, and that launch is still several months away - possibly even as far as the end of 2016, or early 2017. But of course there is no doubt the car will make it here. Look out for more updates from us when the new XF makes it's world debut in New York on the 1st of April - and no we promise not to fool you that day!
Watch the video to see how the XF walks on the wire.
