We recently took a closer look at the replacement of V-8s with supercharged and turbocharged 6-cylinders, and we determined that the V-8 is a thing of the past, for the most part. We also made it clear that top-live cars will continue offering V-8 options, but we also anticipated that standard V-8s would slowly disappear in these models too. Well, it looks as if Jaguar->ke39 received that memo, as it is axing the standard V-8 in the XF sedan->ke1236.

Taking its place at the base of the XF lineup is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, which is a Ford design, that pumps out 240 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque. The changes don’t stop there on the 2013 XF, as Jaguar is also adding in an optional 3.0-liter V-6 with a supercharger that punches out 340 ponies and 332 pound-feet of torque. The XF will still have its trio of V-8 engines available as options, so if you are looking for a little more oomph you can opt for one of the V-8s, which crank out between 385 and 510 horsepower.

These two new engines expand Jaguar’s competition against the likes of the BMW 528i and the Audi A6->ke934 2.0T. The BMW 528i’s base 2.0-liter boosted 4-banger cranks out the same horsepower as the upcoming 4-cylinder XF, but in the torque game, the 528i comes up about 9 foot-pounds higher than the XF. The A6 2.0T, on the other hand, matches the XF’s 240 ponies but falls flat in torque, as it gives up a full 40 foot-pounds to the XF.

This new 6-cylinder in the XF also gives Audi’s A6 3.0T and BMW’s 535i a run for their money. The Audi comes in 30 horsepower and 22 pound-feet short of the XF, while the BMW comes in giving up 40 horsepower and 32 pound-feet to the XF.

So needless to say, Jaguar means serious business now, as it has an engine for the XF to compete with, and even crush, the competition. That’s something we haven’t seen from Jaguar in a long time. It’s good to see Jag back to its old form.

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