Geneva show: Jaguar to debut 300km/h XF wagon
BY RON HAMMERTON | 26th Feb 2014
The XFR-S Sportbrake – to be formally unveiled at next week’s Geneva motor show – will pack the same top-shelf 404kW super-charged V8 as both the XFR-S sedan and F-Type R coupe, along with their slick sports-oriented eight-speed transmission.
But Australian Jaguar fans should not get too excited – Jaguar Australia has no plans to introduce the new wagon to Australia, where the $222,545 sedan version launched here last year will continue to carry the XFR-S flag.
However, the Australian importer is considering another version of the XF that will also be shown at Geneva – a diesel-powered XF R-Sport that is set to become the most fuel-efficient XF variant.
Jaguar Australia marketing and public affairs specialist Bethany Allsopp told GoAuto that the local sales and marketing team was still looking into options for the 2.2-litre 120kW XF R-Sport.
But she ruled out the potent V8 wagon, saying the company had no plans for it here in the foreseeable future.
The XF wagon is not sold in any form in Australia, as the company believes the business case does not stack up in a market that is largely indifferent to luxury wagons.
Jaguar describes its XFR-Sportbrake as its first high-performance R-S-branded “sports estate car”, joining the sedan version and F-Type at the top of the Jaguar sports pile.
Jaguar vehicle program director Dean Murden said the Sportbrake combined real-world versatility with electrifying performance.
“The XFR-S Sportbrake brings Jaguar's sporting character to life in a truly engaging car that will satisfy the most demanding of drivers while fitting into the most active of lifestyles," he said.
The supercharged V8 pushes out 404kW of power at 6500rpm and 680Nm of torque from 2500rpm, driving the rear wheels through the Quickshift sports version of ZF’s eight-speed automatic transmission.
The wagon can carry the weekly grocery shop from zero to 100km/h in 4.8 seconds, 0.2 seconds slower than the leaner sedan, but on to an identical limited top speed of 300km/h.
The XFR-S Sportbrake gets modified suspension, including revised rear spring rates and adaptive damper tune to cope with both the load-carrying capacity of up to 1675 litres of cargo and the performance ambitions of the powertrain.
A deeper front bumper with larger air openings to channel more air to the big V8 is the distinguishing feature at the front, while extended side sills and “aeroblade” aerodynamic mouldings behind the wheels aid slipperiness.
At the back, a high-mounted rear spoiler and a carbon-fibre diffuser that extends under the car help to keep the rear wheels glued to the tarmac.
Wheels are 20-inch alloys, shod with low-profile Pirellis, in a wider 295/30 format at the back and 265/35 on the front. High-performance brakes are 380mm discs up front and 376mm at the back.
At the other end of the XF spectrum, the XF R-Sport is mainly focused on fuel efficiency, with its 2.2-litre diesel engine recording a combined fuel consumption figure of 4.9 litres per 100km – 0.3L/km better than the current 2.2D XF sold in Australia.
The XF R-Sport employs an idle-stop system, low-rolling resistance tyres and an eight-speed transmission to help save fuel.
Visually, the XR R-Sport is dressed with 17-inch alloys and an XF Sport body kite including a sports bumper, side sills and rear spoiler.
In Europe, the R-Sport will be available in both sedan and wagon versions, but if it does get the tick of approval for Australia, it most likely will only be available as a sedan.
