Premium estates are, we’re told by the marketing people, for those with outdoorsy, active lifestyles. It’s small wonder so few estates are truly utilitarian load-luggers: they’re Tourers or Avants, or in this case, the new Jaguar XF Sportbrake.
To tie in with the car’s international launch, Jaguar gave it an active outdoor accessory of its very own: an Ian Callum-designed speedboat.
The Jaguar Concept Speedboat
Why has Jaguar built a speedboat? According to Jaguar design chief Ian Callum, it’s because it provides a new canvas on which ‘Jaguar cues of speed and beauty can be applied’. With that in mind, the Jaguar inspirations become a little easier to spot. The rear fin is inspired by the D-type racing car, and the fuel filler caps are derived from the Series 1 XJ.
The red 2+1 cabin is also said to hark back to classic Jaguar interiors. The Concept Speedboat is certainly easy on the eye, but Jaguar has confirmed it has absolutely no plans to sell it, or create a maritime range alongside its road cars.
In contrast, the XF Sportbrake will of course be on sale in November 2012, with a range of 2.2-litre and 3.0-litre diesel engines available in the UK. It boasts a 1675-litre loadspace, yet Jaguar claims it matches its saloon sister for aerodynamics, torsional stiffness and ‘dynamic handling ability’. The range starts at £31,940 and rises to £51,505 for a ‘Portfolio’-spec V6 diesel.