Jaguar XJ & XF get 4WD

Jaguar has announced that four wheel drive versions of the Jaguar XJ and Jaguar XF will be available – but not in the UK.

Jaguar has long bemoaned the lack of a 4WD platform for their cars, and even blamed such a lack of flexibility for the delay in launching the XF Sportbrake.

We’ve been expecting Jaguar to reveal a 4WD version of the XJ for a while (especially as the new Range Rover utilises the same platform) but we didn’t expect a 4WD XF until the next generation XF launches in a couple of years. Wrong again.

Jaguar has announced that 4WD versions of both the XJ and XF – with the new 3.0 litre Supercharged V6 engine – are to be launched in selected markets for the 20-13 model year.

Sadly, that doesn’t include the UK – where AWD cars account for just 5 per cent of the market – and three quarters of 4WD XF and XJ production will be heading for the US to soak up sales in the ‘Snow Belt’.

The new 4WD system uses the ZF eight-speed auto box and will deliver primary power to the rear wheels with a multiplate clutch within the transfer case apportioning torque to the front axle when grip is lost at the back.

Ian Hoban, Jaguar’s Vehicle Line Director, said:

What we are most proud of is the fact that our All-Wheel Drive system preserves all the dynamic qualities of our rear-wheel drive Jaguar saloons in terms of handling, steering quality and ride refinement while adding a new depth of ability in low-grip conditions. The system delivers all the traction benefits you would expect, but the AWD XF and XJ are still very rewarding cars to drive – which was exactly our intention.

Performance from the new 4WD XJ and XF is virtually identical with 0-62mph in 6.4 seconds, top speed of 155mph (limited) and combined economy of 24mpg.

Fingers crossed Jaguar decide to extend the 4WD option not just to the UK but to the 5.0 litre Supercharged V8 too.

Yes please, to either an XJ SuperSport 4WD or an XFR 4WD. And you can add the XFR  Sportbrake to that list too

By Cars UK