XF 2013 Jaguar XF Sportbrake Spy Shots and Official Pics

[HighestOfHigh]

The long-rumored--and long-overdue--wagon variant of the stunning Jaguar XF has finally been spotted in prototype form, caught while testing near Jaguar’s headquarters in the UK.

This time around we’re sure Jaguar was happy to have our spy photographers snap up these latest shots, as publicized by the large “Sportbrake” banner plastered on the side of the prototype.

With its sleek styling but practical five-door body, Jaguar’s Sportbrake name symbolizes the combination of elements from a shooting brake, which traditionally only has two doors, with a sleek wagon, often referred to as a sportback.

Given the near production ready look of the vehicle, we wouldn’t be surprised to see it make its debut in the not too distant future--possibly at March’s 2012 Geneva Motor Show. This means that the XF Sportbrake could be on sale by next summer, most likely as an early 2013 model.

Key rivals will be the BMW 5-Series Touring, Audi A6 Avant, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, though its most direct competitor will easily be the upcoming Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake, which incidentally is also expected to debut in Geneva next year.

Expect the engine lineup to mirror that of the regular XF sedan, though it’s unclear if a high-performance XFR Sportbrake will be launched. The slighter tamer versions should include sporty V-8 variants, including a base 5.0-liter V-8 version developing 385 horsepower and a supercharged version of this with 470 horsepower on tap.

Overseas markets should feature a series of smaller gasoline and diesel powerplants, including the ultra-frugal 2.2-liter turbodiesel unit that recently powered the XF sedan across the U.S. at an average fuel economy of 52.4 mpg.

We only hope that the XF Sportbrake comes to the U.S., though given the fact that Jaguar’s last wagon, the X-Type Sportwagon, was sold locally we expect this one might too.

- 2013 Jaguar XF Sportbrake Spy Shots

 

[Human]

I am a big fan of the XF make no mistake! However here the XF Sportbrake reminds me of a Hearse, not good at all I'd rather have it in sedan form with the XK/Aston'ish ass

 

[Centurion]

I am a big fan of the XF make no mistake! However here the XF Sportbrake reminds me of a Hearse

You're absolutley right. Classic British designs rarely serve well in touring/estate form. The cars just end up looking like hearses.

Further more. Anyone with XF money who wants a spacious and practical British car would just buy a RR Sport. For that reason this car will fail like the X-Type.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

I really don't see anything hearse-like about this. I think it'll look good, but this makes me wonder how long they are going to have the current XF if they are just introducing a wagon in the coming new year. They need to definitely update it sooner rather than later of they want to keep playing with the big boys.

I think those that are averse to SUVs and those in London (pesky SUV tax and all), I think it'll do well. It'll definitely be more niche, but the development costs should be pretty low. Also couple that with their purported AWD system that has become priority, and they may move a decent number of units.

 

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

Leaked:

 

[Deleted member 25]

So this is a sort of 7/S class break ?

 

[martinbo]

Nope, technically it's a 5er/E-Klasse wagon competitor though it is positioned between the XF and the XJ. I thus reckon that Jag sees the forthcoming CLS Shooting Brake as the direct rival.

 

[K-A]

What's with this dumb "Brake" term for Wagons? Is that their terrible attempt to make something sassier than "Wagon"?

And I love how the more utilitarian the vehicle, the more Marketers try and overdo the naming, i.e "Sportbrake" for something less Sporty in nature than its Sedan basis, or BMW's putting "SportActivity" and whatever else "sporty" naming characteristics they can think of in their most boring offering of all time: A FWD Minivan.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

What's with this dumb "Brake" term for Wagons? Is that their terrible attempt to make something sassier than "Wagon"?

And I love how the more utilitarian the vehicle, the more Marketers try and overdo the naming, i.e "Sportbrake" for something less Sporty in nature than its Sedan basis, or BMW's putting "SportActivity" and whatever else "sporty" naming characteristics they can think of in their most boring offering of all time: A FWD Minivan.

I don't see how Sportbrake being used by Jaguar is any different from Audi using "Avant" or BMW using "Touring." It's what they call their wagons. If they were to use the actual term "wagon" anywhere, good luck trying to lure customers to something that conjures long road-trips while being backed in like sardines in a tin can....think National Lampoon's Family Vacation. Besides Sportsbrake can be directly derived from the term "Shooting Brake," a term long used by those in the Olde Country. Heck, I'm pretty sure Ferrari described the FF as a shooting brake. While it may be more utilitarian, I doubt it loses too much of its handling capabilities. Well, I doubt it loses its capabilities if the transformation is done right.

BMW has used the term "SportActivity" since it has introduced the X5 in the late Nineties. Regarding it's use on a FWD minivan, I haven't been keeping track of that car because it holds zero interest for me. As soon as I see "FWD" and "BMW" or "FWD and "Mercedes-Benz," I just walk away.

Nope, technically it's a 5er/E-Klasse wagon competitor though it is positioned between the XF and the XJ. I thus reckon that Jag sees the forthcoming CLS Shooting Brake as the direct rival.

You're right, I always thought the XF walked the line well between the E-class' upright, formal nature and the CLS' more fashionable "4-door coupe" aesthetic.

 

[Human]

By Mark Kleis: http://www.leftlanenews.com/jaguar-xf-sportbrake.html

One of the industry’s worst-kept secrets has finally been made public: A five-door wagon version of Jaguar’s XF midsize sedan is on the way to do battle with the German “defaults

 

[EMpower]

Jaguar XF Sportbrake: leaked pics - Autocar.co.uk

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

just noticed they've decided to black out the D-pillar, a la XJ's C-pillar. In this application, it looks like it'll look fine from every angle, whereas on the XJ it has some awkward angles. Though I am curious to see what it'd look like if it was body-colored.

 

[Cashmere]

Official pics:

 

[martinbo]

Thread title changed so that we can maintain discussion continuity.

 

[Human]

I don't wanna be bluntly rude, but that is how you f-up a brilliant design IMO.

It's a stately hearse though!

 

[martinbo]

Did anyone notice that, ostensibly, the D-Pillar can be colour-coded or blacked-out?

 

[Giannis]

Yeap. It's a cool feature.

Yet, I'd have my XF Sportbrake in that metallic blue, with a metallic blue D-Pillar. Looks great!

 

[Deckhook]

The saloon was one of my most favourite cars to own and no doubt the XF Shootbrake will be as good to own as it, my only concern is the RRP of the XF which has risen to the point where in my opinion it's starting to look expensive against the rest.

Looks stunning though.

 

[speed_kills]

Looks nice. TATA are doing a good job.

 

[K-A]

I'm sure everything we've seen from Jag so far is still spawned from under the Ford umbrella.