It was confirmed over the summer that Jaguar was working on an XF wagon, and now the spy photogs at KGP have caught it testing. We’ve been told it’s called the XF Sportbrake, and it’s hard to pin down the exact lines in back with those bulging light units, but it should make itself right at home in the handsome XF line.
This car will start the expansion of Jaguar’s lower-end offerings as it tries to win over the buyers that have been lining up for Audi and Mercedes wagons. The last time Jaguar had an entry level load-lugger, the unlamented X-Type Estate. The XF Sportbrake, even with the swirlies and disguised taillights, already looks promising, and we know from experience that the 2012 XF sedan is a terrific driver.
Don’t get too excited around it, though, because it’s not heading Stateside. Jaguar’s U.S. VP of communications released this statement:
Today in the news from the UK, Jaguar Cars confirmed the ongoing development and testing of a new Jaguar XF derivative, the Jaguar XF Sportbrake (a sport wagon). No vehicle information is being released at this time. Please be aware, the Jaguar XF Sportbrake is not scheduled to come to North America due to significant design changes that would be required to meet U.S. federal regulations.
Earlier today at a private event in Los Angeles, Jaguar presented an updated version of the C-X16 Concept that initially debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show back in September. The car, freshly clad in a coat of White Pearl paint, was presented by Jaguar design chief Ian Callum who entirely but confirmed that a version of the C-X16 would be put into production.
The C-X16 Concept surely looks ready to takes its place as a modern rendition of the E-Type with various design cues that pay tribute to the legendary two-seater. The technical aspects of the car are anything but retro, however, with a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 under the hood paired with an electric motor reinforced into the 8-speed transmission. The compounding produces 468 horsepower and 505 lb-ft torque, which Jaguar says is good for a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 186 mph.
Whether items like the hybrid power system will make it into production is surely questionable, along with the trick side-opening rear hatch (an E-type tribute) and the stunning red leather interior with carbon fiber race seats that are more likely to remain conceptual features only.
Could Williams emerge as the outsourced competition department for Jaguar? It very well might if Adam Parr has his way. The chairman of the Williams F1 team and its related subsidiaries is enthusiastic around his company’s collaboration with the British automaker, and is keen to see it move forward into new areas.
Currently, Williams is helping Jaguar develop the C-X75 concept into a roadgoing supercar. And while the micro-turbines housed in the show car’s engine bay aren’t likely to make the production cut – at least, not initially – the hybrid element of the drivetrain is. That’s where Williams comes in, supplying its expertise with the Kinetic Energy Recovery System it developed for use in F1 towards road-going application on the production C-X75.
Williams could, potentially, be called back in to service to develop hybrid systems for other Jaguar road cars if its work on the C-X75 turns out well, but Parr is also looking towards Le Mans. Jaguar has no less than seven victories at the famed endurance race to its name, including five in the 1950s and some other two in 1988 and 1990, and is rumored to be working on a new LMP1 racing prototype, but whether Williams is in on the program remains to be seen.
