Testing the Jaguar XF Sportbrake Station Wagon | Jaguar

Jaguar XF Sportbrake | The Jaguar XF

Testing the Jaguar XF Sportbrake

The mid-size saloon 'XF' has been joined by a station wagon model, the 'XF Sportbrake'. This new body type, following the saloon, sports coupe, and SUV, has just been launched by Jaguar Land Rover Japan. Fumio Ogawa took this latest model for an early test drive in Portugal.

Text by OGAWA Fumio

Combining Sportiness and Elegance

Jaguar has announced theXFsporty station wagon, the 'XF Sportbrake', developed based on the 'XF'. A test drive event was held in Portugal in October 2017.

Although station wagons have seen their market share eroded by SUVs, they remain popular in several markets, including Japan.

A key appeal of station wagons is their ease of use, stemming from their lower ride height.

Most notably, they offer a comfortable ride similar to that of a saloon. Because the suspension's movement is less restricted, the ride is comfortable.

Another advantage, particularly for use in urban areas like Tokyo, is the ease of parking in multi-story car parks. They are as practical as saloons, yet can carry long items with ease.

Furthermore, the Jaguar XF Sportbrake boasts a stylish appeal. Its low-slung stance, long roofline, and elegant window graphics are prime examples.

'In designing this, we put great effort into making the profile (side view) sporty,' said Wayne Burgess, who oversaw the design, during the manufacturer's presentation at the test drive event.

'The most challenging aspect was the roof curve. It's integrated with the spoiler, but we aimed for elegance rather than an overly sporty look.'

'Another feature I'm proud of is the side window graphics,' Burgess continued. 'When basing a station wagon on a saloon, there's often a compromise somewhere. I'm confident that the XF Sportbrake achieves a natural and successful integration.'

Jaguar XF Sportbrake | The Jaguar XF

Testing the Jaguar XF Sportbrake (2)

Handling That Responds Smoothly and Eagerly

The European lineup is extensive. Engines include gasoline and diesel options, with both rear-wheel drive and full-time four-wheel drive configurations. The gasoline engine is a 250ps four-cylinder available in two drive types. The 380ps 3-liter V6 is for limited markets like the US and China.

Diesel engines range from 163ps to 260ps, with three types of 2-liter four-cylinder engines. Additionally, a 300ps 3-liter V6 is offered. Specifications include 'Pure', 'Prestige', 'Portfolio', 'R-Sport', and 'S'.

The model driven from Porto into the inland wine regions was the 2-liter rear-wheel drive version, which is planned for the Japanese market. This was the 'R-Sport' trim, featuring a dedicated body kit including a sports bumper, gloss black window frames, and sports seats.

The new generation 'Ingenium' four-cylinder engine, already featured in several Jaguar models, produces a maximum output of 184kW (250ps) at 5,500rpm and a peak torque of 365Nm between 1,200-4,500rpm. It is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

The initial impression upon entering the cabin is (unsurprisingly) the same as the XF saloon. The symmetrical dashboard is neatly organized, with controls for the infotainment system accessible via a large TFT LCD monitor.

The seats are the same supportive, sporty type familiar from the 'R-Sport' saloon. The car I drove was upholstered in a two-tone black and red leather.

The drive is smooth and responsive. The engine feels more enjoyable when revved, with a noticeable surge of power from just before 3,000rpm. In city driving, a light touch on the accelerator provides ample acceleration, so this impression might be limited to winding roads.

The smoothness extends to the handling. When the steering is turned, the car changes direction with a pleasing fluidity. This was particularly impressive on winding roads.

Perhaps due to being in the rear-wheel-drive model, the front end turns in eagerly, with a satisfying push from the rear. Despite its considerable length of 4,955mm, making it a large station wagon, the size is not apparent from the driver's seat.

Jaguar XF Sportbrake | The Jaguar XF

Testing the Jaguar XF Sportbrake (3)

Pursuing Prestige and Comfort for Both Urban and Leisure Use

At higher speeds, aerodynamic elements, including the rear spoiler, begin to make their presence felt. Above a certain speed, the car feels pressed to the ground, increasing stability. Impressively, the ride comfort does not deteriorate at these speeds.

The engine offers another charm: its sound. As the revs climb, a slightly bass-heavy exhaust note can be heard. It's a crisp sound, not overly loud, but undeniably pleasing.

Unpleasant noises have been meticulously eliminated. The cabin remains quiet and comfortable during driving. With station wagons, wind noise hitting the rear roofline or echoes from the cargo area can sometimes be an issue. However, from the front seats, no noise from the cargo area was noticeable.

The ride is slightly firm, possibly due to the tires with a 35% aspect ratio. This suggests the tires play a significant role in achieving the dynamic handling characteristics.

A potential drawback might be that occupants feel some unevenness from road imperfections. However, as this is a station wagon and not a rear-seat-focused saloon, this is within acceptable limits.

The ability to carry long items is a key selling point of this car, and those who enjoy sports like golf will particularly appreciate it. The self-leveling rear suspension adds to its practicality.

Jaguar also offers the 'Activity Key', which was first introduced on theF-Paceand is now adopted by the XF Sportbrake. This watch-like key is convenient for activities where you don't have pockets, such as surfing.

While SUVs focus on off-road capability, station wagons emphasize prestige and comfort for both urban and leisure use. Simultaneously, Jaguar is diligently developing complementary features, such as the aforementioned Activity Key, to enhance value.

Jaguar is skillfully leveraging its sister company Land Rover's assets to build a comprehensive lineup, with the prestige modelXJat the pinnacle of its saloon range, the F-Pace and the soon-to-be-launched in Japan SUVE-PACEin its SUV range, and the electric vehicleI-PACEscheduled for release in the near future.

Just as Mercedes-Benz attracts customers with itsE-Classand BMW with its5 Seriesstation wagons, each enjoying success for similar reasons, I believe the XF Sportbrake will attract new customers.