Jaguar updates and strips back XF line-up

 JAGUAR Land Rover (JLR) Australia has revealed its updated new XF sedan which ushers in more than just new styling, lobbing a revised variant line-up with new naming system, upgraded technology and more luxury.

With deliveries set to start in the first quarter of next year, JLR Australia has only revealed the pricing of a single variant at this stage, that being the R-Dynamic HSE P300 AWD which will wear a sticker price of $100,200 plus on-road costs.

“As the market segment where Jaguar XF is quite competitive, yet relatively small, it makes perfect sense to offer the best possible specification we have available to us,” a JLR spokesperson confirmed to GoAuto.

The R-Dynamic HSE will be powered by the same 221kW/400Nm turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine as the current 30t variants – all lesser versions, diesels and six-cylinders have either been axed or not detailed as yet.

According to JLR Australia, all local XFs will also come with all-wheel drive and channel their power to the road via an eight-speed automatic transmission, resulting in a 0-100km/h time of 6.1 seconds.

Visually, the new model can be distinguished by its bigger radiator grille, new slimline LED headlights and bigger front air intakes which combine to give the XF a greater sense of width and purposefulness.

While the exterior changes consist largely of nip-and-tuck style tweaks, things inside the cabin have taken a more drastic step with an all-new interior “with heightened luxury, enhanced connectivity and greater serenity and refinement”.

Designed to be “bolder” and more “dynamic”, the new interior is centred around an integrated 11.4-inch curved-glass infotainment touchscreen wrapped in a magnesium frame while open-pore wood and aluminium have been used for the rest of the trim.

Other fresh features include a new gear selector with ‘cricket ball’ stitching, new seats with massage function and embossed Leaper emblem, redesigned door casings and grab handle and a sportier new centre console design which sweeps up to meet the dashboard.

“The Jaguar XF features a new exterior design which delivers a more assertive and assured presence while the all-new interior is more luxurious, tactile and demonstrates an exceptional level of craftsmanship,” Jaguar design director Julian Thomson said.

“The inside of the XF seamlessly integrates advanced technologies and is simply a beautiful place to be.”

Standard equipment across the range includes a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, satellite navigation, head-up display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, two-device Bluetooth connectivity, wireless phone charging, Pivi Pro infotainment system, Software-Over-The-Air (SOTA) capability, active road noise cancellation technology and digital rearview mirror.

Standard safety systems meanwhile include auto high beam assist, surround-view monitor, clear exit monitor, adaptive cruise control and driver condition monitor as well as the previously mentioned digital rearview mirror.

So far this year the brand has sold 26 XFs ending September, accounting for a slim 1.6 per cent of the $70,000-plus large car segment, a category currently being dominated by the Mercedes-Benz E-Class (575/36.3%) and BMW 5 Series (507/32%).

2021 Jaguar XF pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs