2018 Jaguar XF S Sportbrake Shows Red Brakes, V6 Growl at Nurburgring

The XF Sportbrake is something very few people will actually buy, especially in the configuration we see here, with a powerful supercharged V6 engine. But those who do will talk it up, since in the era of sterile German cars, a bit of growl should be cherished. What's more, it's not afraid to get a bit sideways while testing at the Nurburgring.

The previous generation XF was not the best selling car they had. And when the new sedan came out last year, it seemed clear that another wagon wasn't coming.

But we think this is a smart move from Jaguar, as wagons are definitely making a comeback, especially the ones that have the right badge and premium characteristics. Just look at the Volvo V90 or the fact that Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain and you'll know what we are talking about.

Now, we know from things like the C-Class and A4 that wagons don't have much larger trunks than their sedan counterparts because of the cover on top and all the stuff that needs to fit underneath. But the charm of the XF Sportbrake stands in adjustable divider rails. Automatic tailgate opening should also be standard on all models.

The Brits will offer engines both for those who enjoy driving briskly and folks that value fuel economy. The 3.0-liter supercharged V6 is as sweet as you think it is, but there's going to be a diesel alternative that's almost as powerful.

The sweet spot in the range is going to be the 2.0-liter diesel, which will constitute the majority of sales. There will be several configurations, ranging from a basic 163 horsepower unit with a manual to an 180 hp one with the 8-speed automatic.

Taking away from the fact that this is an excellent looking car, the 2018 XF Sportbrake boasts an extra bit of flexible space that you can't get from any other luxury Brit.