Jaguar XF Malaysia-2

Teased in March and earlier this month via its Facebook page, Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia has finally launched the new Jaguar XF in the country, and the car makes its local debut in two variant forms, the XF Prestige and XF R-Sport, priced from RM450,000 and RM460,000 – almost on-the-road (well, there’s no road tax and rego), without insurance – respectively.

The second-gen XF made its debut at the 2015 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) last March and began going on sale later in the year. The new car – which measures in at 4,954 mm long, 1,987 mm wide and 1,457 mm tall – is lighter, more spacious, more powerful and more fuel efficient than its predecessor, which has been around since 2007.

Styling cues – inspired by the smaller XE – include a prominent front grille, slim headlights and an F-Type-inspired rear end. The new car also features a glasshouse that stretches further back that allows it to retain its characteristic coupe-like roofline, but had improved on the outgoing modelís lack of rear headroom.

Although the new car is seven millimetres shorter and three millimetres lower than the old one, the wheelbase is actually 51 mm longer at 2,960 mm, providing what Jaguar says is class-leading rear space.

Jaguar XF Malaysia-5

Numbers-wise, row-two occupants gain 15 mm more legroom, 24 mm more kneeroom and up to 27 mm more headroom. Weight-wise, it’s up to 190 kg lighter than the first-gen model, variant-dependent.

Some interior elements – notably, the dashboard – also share the same design styling as the XE, which was launched here in January. The novel swivelling centre vents have been replaced with more conventional units, though the ones on the side have been retained.

As standard, the Malaysian XF comes with an eight-inch touchscreen for its new quad-core InControl Touch Pro infotainment system as well as a five-inch instrument panel display with analogue dials – the new 12.3-inch TFT LCD virtual instrument cluster, taken from the XJ, is available as an option. Also standard fit is an 80-watt Jaguar Sound System.

Both XF variants – which tip the scales at 1,590 kg – are powered by a 2.0 litre i4 turbocharged and direct-injected petrol engine offering 240 PS at 5,500 rpm and 340 Nm from 1,750 to 4,000 rpm, and the mill is mated to an eight-speed electronic automatic transmission with Jaguar Sequential Shift.

Standard equipment includes bi-xenon headlamps with LED J-Blade DRLs, two-zone climate control, JaguarDrive Control, 10-way adjustable front seats and cruise control. Both rear-wheel drive models come with All-Surface Progress Control (ASPC), a sort of low-speed cruise control that ensures optimum traction in adverse conditions.

The Prestige variant features items such as 17-inch lightweight 15-spoke wheels, perforated leather seats, metal scuff plates with Jaguar script and a multi-function soft-grain leather steering wheel.

Dedicated bits on the XF R-Sport include a sport suspension, 18-inch Helix 10-spoke wheels and a R-Sport bodykit. Also on, an R-Sport branded multi-function soft-grain leather steering wheel and R-Sport branded metal scuff plates.

As for safety kit, the Malaysian-spec XF comes equipped with six airbags, DSC, traction control, brake assist, a rear-view camera and rear Isofix mounts (two, outer seats) – according to the folk at JLR Malaysia, buyers can tick the box for an optional safety pack, which includes items such as Lane Keep Assist and Park Assist.

The XF is available in 10 exterior colours (two as-standard solid paints, and eight optional metallic shades), and buyers can pick from six optional wheel choices, in 19- and 20-inch variations. The car comes with Jaguar Care, an exclusive programme that comprises a five-year warranty, five-year servicing and three-year roadside assistance.

Browse the full specifications and equipment of the XF variants on CarBase.my.

GALLERY: Jaguar XF Prestige GALLERY: Jaguar XF R-Sport

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