2021 Jaguar XF priced, only one engine coming to Australia

Jaguar has detailed the new XF sedan for the Australian market ahead of its arrival in the first quarter in 2021.

While outside the XF may look familiar Jaguar has slightly tweaked the bodywork, although it’s inside where the XF has been most heavily refreshed.

Australians will receive a very simplified line-up of XFs for 2021, in fact, the term “line-up” verges on hyperbole here. Jaguar will offer just one specification – the R-Dynamic HSE with P300 engine – with prices starting at $100,200.

Powering all Australian Jaguar XFs will be a petrol two-litre four-cylinder ‘Ingenium’ engine with promised outputs of 221kW and 400Nm courtesy of a twin-scroll turbocharger.

An all-wheel-drive system will divvy up power while an eight-speed ZF sourced torque-converter automatic shuffles the gears. That equates to a claimed 0-100km/h sprint of 6.1 seconds.

Jaguar’s choice to offer this single P300 powertrain will come as sad news to those who loved the supercharged V8 available in the original XF and will hurt the new car’s chance against the BMW M550i and Mercedes-AMG E43.

Refinements made inside the XF includes wholly more confident interior design that better ensconces the driver. There’s a generous 11.4-inch touchscreen now housed in a magnesium surround. The display is also curved and runs Jaguar’s new Pivi Pro infotainment system.

Naturally, Jaguar will offer a wide range of customisation, including the choice between interior inserts of aluminium or open-pore wood veneer.

Gone is the rotary gear selector, replaced by a trendier ‘stubby nub’ which Jaguar says is finished with cricket ball stitching, there is a covered storage compartment behind, too.

Specification promises to be quite generous in the new XF with new, wider leather-appointed seats with massage, heating and cooling functions and improved cabin filtration. Also new is the 12.3-inch customisable digital driver’s display with full-screen map read-out, camera rear-view mirror and over-the-air software updates.

The Pivi Pro system has a dedicated power source, allowing it to boot up as soon as the driver gets in. Jaguar’s software is pretty slick, but Apple CarPlay, Android Auto are supported, as are two simultaneous Bluetooth connections.

For the XF to retain its five-star ANCAP safety rating for 2020, the brand has enhanced safety technology, the AEB system can now detect cyclists and boasts junction assist technology. There is also a 360-degree camera and adaptive cruise control on the list of standard features.

While the new car is still obviously an XF, the front bumper features a lower and broader grille now finished with mesh instead of slats, refreshed ‘double J’ LED daytime running lights, and body colour rear bumper. Overall it adds up to a cleaner, more sophisticated appearance which we rather like here at Chasing Cars.

Underpinning the new XF is the same aluminium-heavy platform. However, Jaguar has committed to making sure as much of the raw materials as possible are sourced from recycled sources, which we think is a neat touch.

Exact pricing for options packages have yet to be confirmed, The sole R-Dynamic HSE spec will be available in myriad colours both outside and in, with things like dark finish exterior packages available to add-on.

Jaguar is taking orders for the new XF now, with customer cars arriving in early 2021.