AT A GLANCE

Drivetrain: In-line front-mounted RWD 2.2-litre 16v four or 3.0-litre 24v V6 turbodiesel engines. Eightspeed automatics with paddleshift. Outputs: 2.2-litre – Max 147kW at 3500rpm, 451Nm at 2000rpm, 5.1 litres/100km, 139g/km CO . 3.0-litre – Max 202kW at 4000rpm, 600Nm at 2000rpm, 6.1 litres/100km, 163g/km CO . Performance: 2.2-litre – 216kmh, 0-100kmh 8.2 seconds. 3.0-litre – 250kmh, 0-100kmh 6.2 seconds. Chassis: Unequal length wishbone front suspension, multilink rear suspension, variable-ratio power-assisted servotronic steering. Safety: Front, side and curtain airbags; ABS, EBD; dynamic stability control; traction control; cornering brake control. Four-star NCAP. Dimensions: L 4966mm, W 1877mm, H 1468mm, W/base 2909mm, F/track 1559mm, R/track 1571mm, Weight 1824-1880kg, Fuel 70.1 litres. Pricing: Jaguar XF 2.2 Sportbrake Luxury $95,000. 3.0 Sportbrake S $120,000. Hot: Even better looking than the sedan; amazing load space for one so pretty; very frugal four; entry point is top value. Not: Few engine choices and entry-point petrol four not available; no 4x4 option for RHD markets; twist dial auto gimmicky. Verdict: Stunning looker is disarmingly practical and the star of the evolving Jaguar range. To us it’s even better looking than the F-type roadster. uar has ever made, but all-told, it is a remarkably effective and surprisingly sophisticated entry into a hard-fought segment.

In a couple of months, we’ll know what Jaguar’s on-again, offagain QF SUV is going to look like, and if Jaguar’s first attempt at such a machine is as good as its first RWD wagon, things are looking pretty upbeat for the company.