Jaguar used the New York Auto Show to unveil the latest model XF, which as expected, looks better than the model it replaces. Design director Ian Callum has taken critical design cues from the flagship XJ, such as the lower profile headlight assembly with Bi-Xenon lamps and LED daytime running lights for what actually appears to be slimmer version of the ‘J-Blade’ design.
On display was the powerful XFR supercharged model, looking even more aggressive with new styling treatments, which enhance the more aggressive nature of the car. It’s still a ‘beautiful fast car’ only this time around, the extra performance intentions of this variant are a touch more overt than before.
Jaguar Land Rover global boss, Dr Ralf Speth, believes that it’s more important to exploit current models with additional drivetrains, be they diesel or some other propulsion system, that can still provide ride and performance that is synonymous with Jaguar’s brand expectations. Indeed, Dr Speth is quick to point out to us that over the next five years no less than 40 new models or variants will be produced by the Jaguar land Rover group, with around one billion dollars per annum budgeted for these actions.
That’s exactly what they have delivered too in the form of an all-new super efficient small displacement diesel engine for the XF. It’s a technology rich 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel with a stop/start system, which is a first for Jaguar. While fuel efficiency is a key driver for this powertrain with a combined fuel consumption of a staggering 4.5 L/100km and an equally impressive CO2 emission output of 149g/km, performance for a Jaguar is mandatory.
Despite this engine’s rather modest capacity, power and torque figures are 140 kW and 450 N.m respectively, meaning the least powerful XF probably won’t be short on ‘grunt’ despite it’s green credentials. Credit must also go to the new eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, which will be standard fitment on all diesel models in the XF range.
The XF has a long life ahead of it and don’t be surprised to see an aluminium body XF (or should that be XFR-S?), which would mean a massive step up in performance if the same powertrains were employed or in the other direction, smaller engines that would use less fuel, but offer similar performance to the more powerful cars. Whichever way it goes, you can guarantee that with Ian Callum at the design helm, Jaguar will continue to build ‘beautiful fast cars’.
