The New Jaguar XF Sportbrake (2012)

This is the new, rather handsome Jaguar XF Estate or should we say in marketing speak the Jaguar XF Sportbrake. It is due to hit the roads in autumn 2012, with prices yet to announced.

Based on the XF Saloon platform the Sportbrake is only 5mm longer, yet it is only 70kg heavier, nearly 5cm of extra headroom in the rear and it will swallow 1,675-litres of cargo with the rear seats down. Every panel as you would expect when looking at the car from the ‘B’ pillar back is new.

We would expect the mechanics and engine line-up to remain the same, although the Sportbrake will feature self-levelling air suspension to aid the driving dynamics which will  make the Sportbrake a desirable towing car for caravanners, boat and horse owners.

The tailgate can be specified with power struts and features a soft close function, avoiding any requirement for it to be slammed shut. Set into the boot floor is a panel that splits into three sections to allow smaller loads to be neatly wedged and avoiding a precious or fragile cargo being thrown about.

Jaguar have incorporated LED lighting into the tailgate so at long last you can see what you doing, wish other manufacturers would follow. The rear seats can be lowered remotely without having to stretch into the boot. The boot measures 550-litres with the rear seats up and increases to 1,675-litres with them down.

We will have prices and specifications nearer the time of the launch of the Jaguar Sportbrake, set to take place in the third quarter of 2012.