Jaguar has taken the wraps off its next-generation XF sedan, complete with more powerful engines and a lighter platform under the skin.
Making good on its promise last week, Jaguar had British stunt driver Jim Dowdell drive the new XF across a pair of wires across the Canary Wharf in London, ahead of the car’s auto show debut next week in New York. It’s a gutsy move, but the stunt showcases the XF’s new platform and considerable reduction in curb weight.
How light is the 2016 Jaguar XF? Light enough to drive along two wires across a river.
Handout, Jaguar
We’ll have to wait until the New York Auto Show to learn the exact curb weight specifications, but Jaguar says the XF is up to 190 kilograms lighter than the outgoing model. That’s because 75 per cent of the chassis is aluminum. Despite the longer wheelbase and increased room inside, the new XF is also slightly shorter than the current model and offers a 50:50 front/rear weight distribution.
When it launches, the 2016 XF will be available with two versions of Jaguar’s supercharged 3.0-litre V6 engine. The first is rated at 340 horsepower, while the most powerful pumps out 380. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard fare, but buyers can choose between rear-wheel drive and all-wheel-drive.
The 2016 Jaguar XF.
Handout, Jaguar
Inside, the 2016 XF gains a cabin revised with better materials and new infotainment options, such as the company’s new InControl system and a 12.3-inch instrument cluster. New tech options include LED headlights, a new electric power steering system borrowed from the F-Type and XE, and Jaguar’s Configurable Dynamics gadget, which lets drivers choose different settings for the transmission, suspension, steering and engine.
Jaguar will announce more details on the 2016 XF when the 2015 New York Auto Show kicks off on April 1.
The 2016 Jaguar XF.
Handout, Jaguar
