Jaguar XF wagon canned for Oz, again

Jaguar's fastest ever wagon, the XFR-S Sportbrake, has broken cover ahead of its Geneva motor show debut; the ferocious 405kW estate capable of accelerating from 0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds.

But it's unlikely to ever make it to Australian showrooms, with Jaguar's local branch putting the kybosh on the stylish wagon's local introduction, despite Jaguar Land Rover Asia Pacific managing director David Blackhall previously indicating the Jaguar XF Sportbrake would be offered in Australia.

Jaguar Australia's marketing and public affairs specialist Bethany Allsopp said there was "no plan" for the XF wagon to come to Australia.

"We do not have any intention to bring the XFR-S Sportbrake into the Australian market either," she said, which would certainly cost more than the $222,545 sedan version.

However another sporty new big cat, dubbed the XF R-Sport, is being considered for the local market, Allsopp said.

To be shown alongside the XFR-S Sportbrake at the Geneva motor show, the Jaguar XF R-Sport is differentiated by a sports body kit, not unlike Audi's S line packages.

Powered by a 120kW/400Nm, 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine, the R-Sport Jag features a sportier front fascia, rear spoiler, side skirts and 17-inch alloy wheels. Black suede-cloth seats are matched with stainless steel pedals and R-Sport badges throughout.

"We are looking into [the XF R-Sport]," Allsopp said, although no official confirmation or timing was available yet.

Though available in Europe in sedan or wagon body shapes, only the sedan would be sold in Australia. It can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 10.5 seconds, more than double the time it takes the gnarly XFR-S Sportbrake.

Like the Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG Estate and Audi RS 6 Avant, with which it would go up against, the new XFR- S Sportbrake is not your average family taxi.

The rear-wheel drive car is fitted with Jaguar's tried-and-tested 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine, generating a scalding 405kW at 6500rpm. As forced induction shoves more air into the engine's cylinders, peak torque rises to a whopping 680Nm, sustained across a flat torque curve between 2500rpm and 5500rpm.

Aerodynamic enhancements including a rear roof spoiler, plus a handful of chassis tweaks allow the Jaguar XF-R-S Sportbrake to reach a maximum velocity of 300km/h - although electronically limited so it could potentially go faster.

It also runs an eight-speed automatic transmission, featuring the Quickshift technology used in Jaguar’s F-Type.

Larger brakes and bigger 20-inch wheels are fitted; the latter now 10mm wider all round: 265/35 front and 295/30 rear, shod with extra-grippy Pirelli tyres. The brakes rotors measure 380mm in diameter at the front, 376mm at the rear, with under body air channels to improve brake cooling at higher speeds.

Continuously variable ‘Adaptive Dynamics’ dampers are part of the package, designed to reduce body roll and pitch as the car corners, accelerates and decelerates.

The XFR-S Sportbrake also comes with a large boot (offering up to 1675 litres of storage with the 60:40 split rear seats folded down), 18-speaker Meridian stereo and leather throughout.

Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...

Register to comment on this article.