The XF first broke cover at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, eventually making its way to dealerships in March 2008. It was quite successful, becoming Jag’s most-awarded car. Now, however, nearly eight years later, the British automaker felt as though the sporty luxury sedan is overdue for a change, and as such, the marque recently introduced the 2016 model year at the 2015 New York Auto Show.

Although its design is heavily based on the previous model, the new XF is actually a much more comprehensive update. The car is significantly lighter now thanks to Jag’s new commitment to constructing the entirety of its lineup from aluminum bodies, and it's quicker than its predecessor as well. And although some of the new drivetrain components launched in 2014 might not make it stateside, the new XF has plenty of new features to brag about. Keep reading for the full details.

Updated 07/11/2016: Jaguar dropped a new video in which it wants to explain why the XF is the perfect car to "chase" storms. Hit "play" to watch storm chaser ‘Tornado Tim’ Baker driving the Jaguar XF through America’s Midwest in search of a tornado.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2016 Jaguar XF.

2016 Jaguar XF

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2016 Jaguar XF
  • Engine/Motor: V6
  • Horsepower: 340 @ 6500
  • Torque: 332 @ 4500
  • Transmission: eight-speed automatic
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The current XF was the first model to adopt Jag’s fresh design language, and for the most part, folks seem to like it. The updated design, however, manages to improve upon the old with more aggressive features, while still retaining that classic Jaguar refinement.

Up front, we see narrower, full-LED headlights, a larger central air intake and more pronounced lower intakes. The hood maintains the same muscular bulges stretching towards the windshield, while the profile preserves a four-door coupe roofline. The taillights have seen a refresh, with longer, thinner units that accentuate the car’s inherent width. Overall, it’s a look that’s simple, but proportioned in such a way as to announce the car’s sporting intent.

Overhangs are short, while aero efficiency is good, rated with a Cd of 0.26. The new architecture is also quite narrow, offering dimensions that are .3-inches shorter .1-inches lower than the car it replaces. The wheelbase, however, has been extended a few inches to 116.5.

The car’s new architecture is made up of 75 percent aluminum, which results in a weight savings of 132 pounds on the RWD model and 265 pounds on the AWD model. The new structural material also increases torsional rigidity by 28 percent, which makes for crisper handling. Jag says the new XF is the “lightest, most efficient non-hybrid diesel in the segment”, boasting 176 pounds fewer pounds than its closest competitor.

Exterior Dimensions

Length

195 Inches (4,954 MM)

Width inc./excl. mirrors

82.3 Inches (2,091 MM)/ 74 Inches (1,880 MM)

Height

57.4 Inches (1,457 MM)

Wheelbase

116.5 Inches (2,960 MM)

Track front/ rear

63.2 Inches (1,605 MM)/ 62.8 Inches (1,594 MM)


Interior

With its longer wheelbase and more compact aluminum architecture, the XF actually sports improved legroom, knee room and headroom on the interior, with Jaguar claiming best-in-segment bragging rights for rear seat and cabin space.

The extra breathing room is complemented by a large assortment of infotainment gadgets. Jag says the new system is the most advanced its ever offered, with a new InControl Touch system that features a vehicle-optimized app suite and smartphone remote control, plus an 8-inch touchscreen or optional 10.2-inch touchscreen. The 10.2-incher comes with a solid-state drive, a quad core processor, and Ethernet connection for fast data transfer, smooth graphics, and good response time. It also uses Dual View technology that allows the driver to see information (like navigation) while the front seat passenger watches TV or a DVD.

As a complement to the larger touch screen, there’s also an available reconfigurable 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster. JLR first pioneered this tech on the Range Rover,->ke469 and will introduce it on its sedans for the very first time with the new XF.

Other interior features include a laser heads-up display and an 825-watt digital surround sound stereo complete with no less than 17 speakers.

Drivetrain

The outgoing XF was offered with two engine choices, both with 4.2 liters of displacement and eight cylinders arranged in a vee. One was naturally aspirated, making 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, while the other while was supercharged, making 420 horsepower and 408 pound-feet of torque.

Now, engine options are wide and varied, with efficiency gains from the new aluminum construction maximized for either performance or economy. For the commuters out there, choices include an Ingenium 2.0-liter four-cylinder oil burner offered in two power levels: 160 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, or 177 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. These are mated to either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic gearbox. When equipped with 160 horsepower and a manual transmission, the new XF will generate just 104g/km of CO2 emissions, plus get a class-leading 70 mpg at the pump. Unfortunately, the four-banger won't make it to the United States just yet. Same goes for the twin-turbo, 3.0-liter V-6 diesel producing 296 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque.

The XF will only cross the pond with two supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 gasoline engines for now, including tunes of 340 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque and 380 horsepower with matching torque figures. Both versions are fitted exclusively to eight-speed automatic transmissions. Not exactly good news for drivers looking to row their own gears.

Performance-wise, the 340-horsepower XF will hit 60 mph in 5.2 second with rear-wheel-drive and in 5.1 ticks when power goes to all four corners. The 380-horsepower model rushes to the same speed in 5.1 and five seconds, respectively. That's a significant improvement over the 340-horsepower, first-gen V-6 models, which needed 5.7 to 6.1 ticks to complete the sprint. The RWD's model is now a half-second quicker than the 300-horsepower BMW 535i's, which comes with a 5.7-second benchmark.

A supercharged V-8 is also expected, but not confirmed as of April 2015.

Less weight and a stiffer body structure almost always equate to better handling dynamics, which means the new XF should be quite fun in the corners. Such characteristics are underlined by double-wishbone suspension in the front and Integral Link suspension in the rear. Weight distribution front to back is a near-perfect 50:50.

Driver’s aids include advanced passive damper technology that comes standard for improved ride comfort. Additional control is offered with an optional Adaptive Dynamics system that determines optimum damper settings for the given driving conditions. Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS), a system initially developed for the F-Type->ke1224 and XE,->ke3138 is now a feature that contributes to both better driving feel and overall fuel economy.

When optioned, Jaguar’s Configurable Dynamics system, another feature from the F-Type, offers driver-controlled settings for the suspension, steering, engine and automatic transmission.

Jag will offer AWD with a newly engineered “torque on-demand” system. Apparently, the transfer case uses a chain drive instead of gears for lightness, efficiency, and quiet operation.

Additional components pilfered from the F-Type include an Intelligent Driveline Dynamics (IDD) system, which delivers rear-biased handling characteristics alongside the benefits of all-wheel grip. There’s also a standard feature called All-Surface Progress Control, which was developed for use during “low-speed driving in adverse conditions.” Basically, the system automatically manages brake and throttle inputs to deliver improved traction in low-grip situations (basically advanced traction and stability control).

As for rumors that Jaguar will include a hybrid system with the new XF – nothing official has been announced, but that could change when a complete spec of the car is released April 1st. If put into production, the system has the potential to increase engine output by 80 horsepower and reduce fuel consumption by 20 percent.

Engine capacity

2,995cc

2,995cc

Cylinders

6 in-vee

6 in-vee

Valves per cylinder

4; DOHC, variable inlet and exhaust cam timing

4; DOHC, variable inlet and exhaust cam timing

Bore x stroke

84.5 x 89.0 mm

84.5 x 89.0 mm

Compression ratio

10.5:1

10.5:1

Fuel injection

150bar direct injection

150bar direct injection

Boosting system

Twin-Vortex supercharger

Twin-Vortex supercharger

Power

340 HP @ 6,500 RPM

380 HP @ 6,500 RPM

Torque

332 LB-FT @ 4,500 RPM

332 LB-FT @ 4,500 RPM

Transmission

RWD: ZF 8HP45 8-speed auto
AWD: ZF 8HP70 8-speed auto

RWD: ZF 8HP45 8-speed auto
AWD: ZF 8HP70 8-speed auto

Top speed

155 mph (250 km/h)

155 mph (250 km/h)

0-60mph

RWD: 5.2 sec
AWD: 5.1 sec

RWD: 5.1 sec
AWD: 5.0 sec


Prices

Trim

Description

Price

XF

3.0L Supercharged V6, 340hp

$51,900

XF

3.0L Supercharged V6, 380hp

$62,700


Competition

Click our review of the 2014-2015 Jaguar XF here.1

The 2016 A6 represents an updated fourth generation for the German automaker’s popular sedan, and comes with a slightly tweaked front fascia, LEDs for the headlights and taillights, and the standard Audi->ke14 single-piece grille.

Inside, there are high-quality materials with meticulous fit and finish, plus a slew of infotainment technologies, including 4G LTE Wi-Fi connectivity for up to eight devices, streaming Internet radio, personalized news readers, an MMI touch display with eight-inch monitor, voice control, navigation, and Bluetooth integration.

Engine choices include a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 252 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 with 333 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, and a turbo six-cylinder diesel with 240 horsepower and 428 pound-feet of torque. All come with an eight-speed automatic Tiptronic transmission.

Base models start under $50,000. Read our full review here.

January 14, 2015 - 2016 Jaguar XF Caught Testing In The Snow

When it comes to making an assault against the established European sports sedans, Cadillac->ke18 seems to have quite the battle strategy in the new CTS-V. The exterior is big and bold, with lots of acute, sharp angles and pumped up body features. There are carbon fiber aero elements, wide fenders, and big intakes that declare the car’s performance capabilities.

The tip of the spear, so to speak, comes in the form of a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 that lays down a heady 640 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 630 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. Routing all that grunt to the rear wheels is Cadi’s eight-speed Hydra-Matic 8L90 automatic transmission.

With numbers like that, straighline speed shouldn’t be an issue, and thanks to a stiffer body construction, an electronic limited-slip differential and GM’s->ke1024 third-generation Magnetic Ride Control, neither should cornering.

Pricing is estimated to start at $85,000. Read our full review here.

Conclusion

The new XF will go on sale this fall, and will come with all the attributes you’d expect from Jaguar’s popular sporty four-door. So far, things are looking good – the exterior redesign is just as good looking as in years past (if not more so) and the lightweight construction improves pretty much everything from speed to economy. The cabin is bigger, the tech is cutting-edge, and the refinement remains very much intact.

However, there are a few question marks left to be answered. The first is pricing – the current XF starts at about $50,000, but it’s not inconceivable to think the new aluminum construction and tech might bump that up a bit. Secondly, and most importantly, there’s the question of any unannounced powerplants. Will Jag unleash a supercharged V-8 or a hybrid? Maybe both?

Click our review of the 2014-2015 Jaguar XF here.

Updated History

Updated 09/03/2015: Jaguar revealed prices for the new 2016 XF, a model that adds more standard value, but at the same time is 9 percent cheaper than the model it replaces. The model will be put on sale at a starting price of $51,900.

Updated 04//01/2015: Jaguar unveiled the new XF at the 2015 New York Auto Show, and this was the perfect opportunity to add new high res images, but also some new details on the luxury sedan.

Updated 03/26/2015: Jaguar unveiled a first promo video for the new XF sedan. The video shows the car in action for the first time, so enjoy!

Updated 03/24/2015: Jaguar unveiled the first official details on the new XF with just a few days before its official debut at the 2015 New York Auto Show.

Spy Shots

January 14, 2015 - 2016 Jaguar XF Caught Testing In The Snow

October 8, 2014 - 2016 Jaguar XF Testing At The Nurburgring

September 22, 2014 - 2016 Jaguar XF testing in South Europe