2016 Jaguar XF and XF S: Tech Review [Video]

2016 Jaguar XF S
2016 Jaguar XF S

The all-new 2016 Jaguar XF, to be released in the winter of 2015, is an evolutionary design that stays true to the original. This is no surprise, as the XF is Jaguar’s American sales leader. The new car is based on an “aluminum-intensive” architecture, according to the company. Compared to the outgoing model, the new XF has a wheelbase that’s been lengthened by two inches to 116.5 inches, while the overall length has been shortened by 0.3 inches to 195 inches, and the front overhang is 2.6 inches shorter. The new proportions provide increased rear passenger leg and head room, according to Jaguar.

A 3.0L supercharged V6 engine will be the sole offering, producing 340 horsepower at 6,500 rpm in the standard XF and 380 horsepower at 6,500 rpm in the sportier XF S. Both models are available in RWD or AWD configurations and are good for 332 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. Opting for the more powerful engine will shave 0.1 seconds from 0-60 time, while an additional 0.1 second can be saved by choosing AWD over RWD (0-60 times range from 5.0 to 5.2 seconds). The transmission for both variants will be an 8-speed automatic and both cars have a top speed of 155 mph. EPA fuel economy for RWD models is 20/30/24 mpg, figures for AWD models are not yet released.

Helping keep the XF planted to whichever surface on which a driver might find him or herself is Jaguar’s Adaptive Surface Response (AdSR) system. Standard on AWD models with Adaptive Dynamics, AdSR determines what type of surface the car is on – normal roads, wet or gravel, or snow and ice – and adjusts throttle, steering, transmission, and stability control systems accordingly. To keep eyes on the road, the XF also comes with a laser Head-Up Display (HUD), which can be switched off. The HUD shows drivers key information such as speed, navigation instructions, and gear shift indication. According to Jaguar, laser HUD systems are superior to traditional thin-film transistor (TFT) HUD systems by producing more color saturation and higher contrast, making them less susceptible to being washed out in bright sunlight.

Base prices for the 2016 Jaguar XF start at $51,900 and top out at $65,700 or XF S AWD models. So, do these numbers and technology translate to driving pleasure? Watch the video below to find out.