IT’S A case of anything you can do, we can do better as Jaguar follows BMW’s lead by announcing details of its 2013 model range months before its scheduled arrival in dealer showrooms.
Crucial difference in this latest England v Germany shoot-out is that most of Jaguar’s latest models will be available a full three months ahead of BMW’s upgraded range.
The single exception will be the all new XF Sportbrake station wagon which arrives towards the end of the year - around the same time as BMW’s latest 5-Series Touring models come on stream. Meanwhile upgraded versions of the XF and XJ saloons will hit dealerships in the autumn.
BMW announced its 2013 line-up last week, but in an attempt to head the Germans off at the pass, Jaguar has now announced prices and full specifications of the Sportbrake which will cost around £2,500 more than equivalent saloon models, starting from £31,940.
Powered by a range of powerful 2.2 and three-litre diesel engines, the Sportbrake marks the debut of new derivatives based on the 2.2-litre diesel unit.
The engine is now available in 163 PS and 200 PS outputs – the latter replacing the existing 190PS output engine. The new wagon will also be available with a three-litre turbocharged V6 engine in 240 PS Diesel and 275 PS Diesel S derivatives.
In Diesel S form, the XF Sportbrake can accelerate to 60mph from rest in just 6.1-seconds. The 240PS variant can achieve the same feat in 6.7-seconds.
The XF saloon also benefits from the new engine upgrades. Deliveries of the saloon commence in September with prices starting at £29,940 on-the-road.
The XF saloon and Sportbrake will both adopt the eight-speed automatic gearbox and Stop/Start as standard across the engine range.
Heading the XF range is the new XFR Speed Pack. Featuring a speed limiter raised to 174mph, the 510PS XFR Speed Pack car is equipped with revised engine and gearbox calibration to match the increased top speed. A new front aero splitter and a new rear wing distinguish the Speed Pack model.
Joining the range is a new three-litre supercharged V6 petrol engine developing 340 PS. The engine, which is also set to appear in the new F-Type sports car next year, replaces the naturally aspirated five-litre V8 in the XF range.
The three-litre V6 S/C is capable of accelerating from 0-60mph in 5.7 seconds and on to a limited top speed of 155mph, returning fuel economy figures of 30mpg on the combined cycle and emitting 224g/km of CO2.
The same engine will be offered in the 2013 model year XJ which features what Jaguar calls “significant” transmission, engine and dynamic developments designed to provide lower fuel consumption and fewer emissions.
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For the new model year, the XJ gets an eight-speed ZF transmission with Intelligent Stop-Start as standard and re-calibrated spring and dampers as well as remapped damper software while further enhancements include standard fit DAB radio and a new premium sound system. Prices will start from £56,250.