Jaguar XF 2.0 Petrol lands in Oz

On sale this month,  Jaguar’s new cat on the block brings the entry-level XF to the mid-sized prestige market from beneath $70K for the first time.

Available in a pair of variants dubbed ‘Luxury’ ($68,900) and ‘Premium Luxury’ ($75,500), the entry-level models are well-equipped, and ready to take the fight to Jaguar’s German and Japanese rivals.

Both are powered by the same all-aluminium 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder found under the bonnet of the Ford Falcon EcoBoost. In Jaguar XF, the engine is tuned to output 177kW/340Nm with a combined cycle fuel consumption figure of 8.9L/100km. CO2 emissions are listed at 207g/km.

Importantly, the arrival of the XF 2.0 Petrol also marks the introduction of a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission as standard across the Jaguar XF range.

For 2013 the Jaguar Touch infotainment system now offers extended entertainment, navigation and connectivity functions with key upgrades including the enhanced functionality of the system’s iPod/iPhone interface, and more user-friendly sat nav functionality. Satellite navigation is now standard across the XF range.

The XF 2.0 Petrol undercuts its rivals at Audi (A6), BMW (5 Series) and Lexus (GS) by around $9000 and the Mercedes-Benz (E-Class) by close to $11,000.  

Speaking at the launch of the XF 2.0 Petrol in Sydney, Jaguar Australia’s product manager, Andrew Chapman told motoring.com.au that the new entry-level sedan is expected to account for almost 30 per cent of all XF sales.

“This car provides a very exciting new entry point for XF in Australia and gives a lot of opportunities for people who have not been able to get into an XF Jaguar before to have access to the brand,” explained Mr Chapman. “It’s a key car for us in that it’s opening up an additional 29 per cent [of the market].”

Mr Chapman also explained that the engine is a timely replacement for its predecessor, offering the technology and specifications necessary to keep the XF competitive with its four-cylinder prestige rivals.

“The technology involved in this 2.0-litre turbo [means] we’ve got a state-of-the-art turbo that’s giving six-cylinder refinement with four-cylinder economy, and more than six-cylinder performance in comparison to the out-going engine,” said Mr Chapman.

“This [2.0-litre engine] is replacing the normally aspirated 3.0-litre V6 that we’ve had in the range since launch. The i4 engine gives you higher power, higher torque, lower fuel consumption, lower emissions and lower weight than that engine,” he concluded.

The new 2.0-litre petrol actually outputs two kilowatts and 47Nm more than the unit it replaces. It is 0.4 seconds quicker from 0-100km/h, consumes 1.4L/100km less fuel on the combined cycle and emits 42g/km less CO2.

Visit motoring.com.au again soon for our launch review of the 2013 Jaguar XF 2.0 Petrol.

2013 Jaguar XF pricing:
XF 2.0 Petrol Luxury $68,900 (MRLP)
XF 2.0 Petrol Premium Luxury $75,500 (MRLP)
XF 2.2 Diesel Luxury $69,900 (MRLP)
XF 2.2 Diesel Premium Luxury $76,500 (MRLP)
XF 3.0 Diesel Luxury $93,900 (MRLP)
XF 3.0 Diesel Premium Luxury $102,900 (MRLP)
XF 3.0 Diesel S $115,500 (MRLP)
XF 3.0 Diesel S Portfolio $132,500 (MRLP)
XF 3.0 V6 Supercharged Petrol Luxury $95,650 (MRLP)
XF 3.0 V6 Supercharged Petrol Portfolio $112,650 (MRLP)
XFR $189,900 (MRLP)

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