SPY PICS: Next Jaguar XF to go alloy
Leaping cat’s all-aluminium, second-gen XF mid-size sedan spied for the first time ahead of its 2016 debutMost of the Jaguar-related spy-pic activity of late has focused on the new XE mid-size sedan that will be revealed a month from now at the Paris motor show, but these are the first images of the second-generation XF large sedan that’s due to launch in 2016.
You could be forgiven for thinking this camouflaged prototype looks much like the XE test mules that have been running around for the past year and more, but look carefully and you’ll pick up on the longer wheelbase and rear overhang.
Other than its larger dimensions, the XF’s design language bears a clear family resemblance to the XE, with its thrusting grille flanked by swept-back headlights, and lower down is a trio of air intakes.
The surfacing on the second-gen XF is far more sporting than the existing model, with sharp-edged front and rear fenders sandwiching creased flanks that alleviate any trace of slab-sidedness.
In addition, the roofline is much more aggressively raked, making for almost-fastback proportions.
Underpinning the new XF will be a stretched version of Jaguar’s new iQ[Al] all-aluminium architecture that will first be rolled out in the imminent XE, conceived to take the fight to the likes of the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-Class and Audi A4.
In the next 12 to 18 months this architecture will also feature in an all-new SUV that was previewed at last year’s Frankfurt motor show by the C-X17 concept.
It’s believed the aluminium underpinnings will help the XF shed up to 100kg vis-à-vis the existing model, and this may help endow it with the dynamic prowess to put the class-leading BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class to the sword.
The new XF’s powertrain line-up will kick off with the new 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines from Jaguar’s new Ingenium engine family, and next up in the range will be a 3.0-litre supercharged V6.
There will also be a hybrid model, while the flagship XF SVR will be powered by JLR’s familiar supercharged 5.0-litre V8.
Helping get the most out of these engines will be the smooth-shifting ZF nine-speed automatic transmission, and the XF will be offered in rear-drive and – at least in Europe -- all-wheel-drive formats to broaden its target audience.
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