XF Sportbrake: JLR’s reply to the BMW 5 Series Touring
Last year, JLR confirmed they were developing an estate version of the D-segment XF, to compete with the BMW 5 Series Touring, Audi A6 Avant, Mercedes E-Class Estate and Volvo V90. And here it is: an elegant and sporty wagon that adds practicality, luggage space and flexibility to a car praised for its driver-involving dynamics and efficient powertrains, helped by a lightweight aluminium structure.
New – and standard – on the XF Sportbrake 2.0 is a self-levelling air suspension called Integral-Link, which preserves the car’s handling even when it is fully loaded, according to JLR. Demanding customers can opt for the on-dement all-wheel drive system with All Surface Progress Control to optimise grip on every type of road. The standard versions are rear-wheel drive.
Power comes from one of four Ingenium four-cylinder petrol or diesel engines outputting between 163 and 250 hp, the most frugal of which emits just 118 grams of CO2 per kilometre. Six-cylinder aficionados can opt for a supercharged 380-hp petrol or a turbocharged 300-hp diesel, each featuring a displacement of three litres.
Even though the new Sportbrake is 6 mm shorter than its predecessor, its wheelbase is 51 mm longer, enhancing rear legroom and cargo capacity. With the 40:20:40-split back seats down, you can transport objects of up to 2 metres long. Those pulling trailers can opt for either a manual or an electrically powered towbar. The standard Tow Assist systems keeps trailers from starting to swerve.
ADAS-wise, the new Jag can be ordered with an intelligent speed limiter that works together with the traffic sign recognition system to adapt the vehicle’s speed by automatically accelerating or slowing down when a change in the speed limit is detected. The optional adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist makes driving in congested areas a less stressful experience.
Another interesting (optional) feature is the active lane keeping assist, which can prevent collisions by steering the car back to the centre of the lane when the driver is moving away from it and another vehicle in the adjacent lane is closing in from behind.
Finally, the Touch and Touch Pro infotainment system with integrated InControl app technology should convince those who always want to stay connected and get real-time information on traffic, weather, available parking spaces in the surroundings, and so on. The dedicated Remote app allows you to check the XF’s fuel level, door lock status, parking location and trip log from your smartphone. The latter feature could actually be used to facilitate private and business trip reporting.
Picture copyright: Jaguar, 2017
