New York show: Jaguar takes XF to new heights

JAGUAR has shown off the interior of its second-generation XF sedan ahead of a planned high-flying publicity stunt next week and its official debut at the New York motor show on April 1.

The all new XF will go on sale in Europe in the northern hemisphere Autumn, and while Australian timing will be confirmed closer to the show, it could land in showrooms later this year.

The British car-maker says the XF will be 80kg lighter than its closest rivals, and while Jaguar won't talk about the competition, opponents for the high-end mid-sizer include the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5 Series, Audi A6, Lexus GS and Infiniti Q70.

Jaguar says the low weight is thanks to the use of its “advanced aluminium-intensive architecture” – the same as used in the upcoming XE – and added that it will set “new business segment benchmarks” for weight and efficiency, with a fuel use figure as low as 70mpg (4.0L/100km).

The Tata-owned car-maker will unveil the XF in London on March 24 as a part of a promotional stunt involving a “world-first” high-wire water crossing of the car, driven by British stuntman Jim Dowdell.

Jag says the risky stunt will highlight the “lightweight and agile credentials” of the XF.

The image of the interior reveals an evolution of the existing model that went on sale in Australia in 2008, with facelift arriving in late 2011.

The dash layout appears similar to the original model, but brought up to date with a new touchscreen and steering wheel design, a reshuffling of the gear-shift selector and other controls in the centre console and the use of new wood-grain and other materials.

It appears that Jaguar will retain the quirky automatically closing airvents that feature on the current-gen model, albeit only on the outer vents.

An aerial image of the XF does not give much away, however the exterior design is expected to also be an evolution of the current model, with styling cues from its smaller XE sibling thrown in.

Jaguar director of design Ian Callum talked up the look of the new XF, suggesting it would be the “best-looking car in its class”.

“Elegant, handsome and with proportions that imbue a great sense of integrity – the all-new XF will be true to the strong tradition of sporting Jaguar saloons while being completely of its time,” he said.

The XF is Jaguar's best-selling model and was a key part of the brand's re-invention following its sale from Ford to Tata alongside Land Rover in 2008.

The XF introduced an entirely new look for Jaguar cars that was followed by the XJ limousine in 2010 and more recently the F-Type sportscar and 3 Series-fighting XE.

XF sales slipped by just 3.2 per cent last year to 846 units, which was enough to ensure it was the third best-selling model in the more than $70,000 large-car segment behind the E-Class (1570) and the 5 Series (882).