2016 Jaguar XF Drops 265 British Pounds

Jaguar officially revealed the 2016 XF luxury sedan today with less weight and fresh mechanical enhancements to carry it into a new generation.

Driving along two tightropes suspended 60 feet above the city of London, the publicity stunt was meant to imply a reduced curb weight and precise handling. The new model marks the end of an era, with the previous XF based off a Ford-developed rear-wheel drive platform.

Jaguar’s new XF abandons its heavy old bones for a new lightweight aluminum architecture that offers a weight savings of 132 lbs on rear-wheel drive models and 265 lbs for versions equipped with all-wheel drive. Jaguar did not announce an official curb weight for the new sedan, but it did say that the platform allows more space efficient packaging that brings improved passenger volume. That’s possible despite the fact that the second-generation has a slightly lower roof and shorter body nose-to-tail because the wheelbase is actually longer.

From launch, the car will be available with the choice between two supercharged V6 engines offering either 340 hp or 380 hp. Regardless of powertrain choice, the XF is saddled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Of course, that is true of models in both front- and all-wheel drive designs, of which the latter uses a new chain-driven design instead of using gears, something that the company says helps to reduce weight.

SEE ALSO: 2015 New York Auto Show

Jaguar is using a double wishbone front suspension and a rear Integral Link suspension in the rear. Unlike the previous XF and the F-Type that both use hydraulic power steering equipment, the 2016 XF uses an electric power assistance system. It is also available with passively adjusting adaptive dampers that can stiffer or soften to match what the car senses to be optimal for the given situation. But Jaguar says those settings can also be fully customizable if hte car is fitted with optional “configurable dynamics” settings that affect how the engine, transmission suspension and steering behave. That’s probably a good thing because front-to-rear weight distribution is close to being totally even.

Along with a long list of mechanical enhancements, the company is also replacing its sluggish infotainment interface with a larger 10.2-inch touch screen and a configurable 12.3-inch display in the gauge cluster underpinned by new software.

Jaguar says the 2016 XF is scheduled to go on sale later this fall, but you can take your first look at during the 2015 New York Auto Show.

Discuss this at our Jaguar XF forum