Jaguar XF Sportbrake wagon early 2014

Jaguar has confirmed at long last that it will bring the XF Sportbrake wagon to Australia, starting in 2014 with two diesel models.

The British wagon was originally slated for a late 2012 arrival, and as previously reported the car had been looking likely for an early 2014 debut.

Now it's official.

The Jaguar XF Sportbrake was first shown at the 2012 Gevena motor show and the reason for the delay is that Jaguar is grappling with Australian Design Rule (ADR) approval for child seat anchorage points, which differ to those in other mainstream markets.

"We are going to bring it," says  Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) Asia Pacific Managing Director David Blackhall, but he admits it's taken a long time iron the ADR creases.

"One of the issues we've got, that we're working on with our federal colleagues in Canberra, is the lack of alignment on design requirements across the globe.

"It's little known but Australia has a unique tethering system for child restraints in wagons, and we've got to get that engineered into the vehicle," said  Blackhall.

A handful of Jaguar XF Sportbrakes will arrive in Australia late in 2013 for "promotional activity" says Blackhall, ahead of the car's showroom debut in 2014.

JLR's regional chief says that only a "limited number" of the cars will be sold in Australia, as demand is not expected to be high. So why bother going to the expense of getting the car approved for Australia if only a handful will be parked in Australian driveways?

"We think it's important from an image point of view to show the development and growth of the jaguar brand," says Blackhall. "On a pure business case for the numbers you'd probably say 'why would you, is it worth the trip?' But we think from a brand perspective it's important."

Taking on the the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate, the Jag wagon will be offered with 2.2-litre (147kW/450Nm) and 3.0-litre (177kW/500Nm) turbo-diesel engines, which drink diesel at a rate of 5.2L/100km and 6.0L/100km respectively.

Pricing and specification have not been divulged but Jaguar Australia has previously stated that we can expect slight price rises over equivalent sedan versions. Ergo, the lowest possible pricing would potentially sit a couple of grand above $70K for the 2.2-litre four-cylinder and $93K for the 3.0-litre V6.