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2021 Jaguar XF Sportbrake Spied Testing Visual Updates

The XF Sportbrake is a car Jaguar said it wouldn't build again, but here it is again, soldiering on in the hope that people have good taste. The 2021 model year version has just been spied undergoing testing with quite a few cosmetic tweaks.
2021 Jaguar XF Sportbrake Spied Testing Visual Updates 12 photos
Photo: SB-Medien
2021 Jaguar XF Sportbrake Spied Testing Visual Updates2021 Jaguar XF Sportbrake Spied Testing Visual Updates2021 Jaguar XF Sportbrake Spied Testing Visual Updates2021 Jaguar XF Sportbrake Spied Testing Visual Updates2021 Jaguar XF Sportbrake Spied Testing Visual Updates2021 Jaguar XF Sportbrake Spied Testing Visual Updates2021 Jaguar XF Sportbrake Spied Testing Visual Updates2021 Jaguar XF Sportbrake Spied Testing Visual Updates2021 Jaguar XF Sportbrake Spied Testing Visual Updates2021 Jaguar XF Sportbrake Spied Testing Visual Updates2021 Jaguar XF Sportbrake Spied Testing Visual Updates
We've always had a soft spot for the XF because it marked a new era for Jaguar back in 2007. But this generation still looks almost the same, so it's understandable that cosmetic changes are needed. The facelift itself kind of resembles what they did with the smaller XE.

For example, the headlights appear to be narrower, almost like the XF is now angry about something... or the sun is in its eyes. Also, designers are playing with the grille sizes and shapes to make the front look sportier. A Jaguar is nothing if not sporty.

Around the back, the prototype appears to sport narrower LED taillights, perhaps with a wrap-around design. And there are no visible exhaust tips. Perhaps this is a plug-in hybrid. We would have loved to see flush-fitting door handles, like on the F-Type. Alas, it wasn't in the budget.

The XF Sportback is Jaguar's only wagon model, while German rivals offer two or sometimes three. We've always found it strange that the Brits couldn't find success with this format while BMW or Audi sold millions.

In the past, the models were held back by the engines, as the diesel V6 didn't have the same punch as its rivals while the 2.2-liter wasn't that economical. So you basically bought the XF just for the Jaguar experience. But their Ingenium series has been getting better and better, encompassing everything from 3-cylinder PHEV to an inline-six hybrid. The Sportbrake will have access to everything, though, given the limited appeal of the product, you should see a dozen combinations like the Germans have.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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