Aluminium-bodied Jaguar XF L unveiled at Beijing Motor Show

Jaguar took the wraps off an extended version of the aluminium-bodied XF at the 2016 Beijing Motor Show, with 140mm added to the wheelbase giving rear passengers 157mm more legroom and 116mm more kneeroom.

According to Jaguar, 90 per cent of executive saloon cars are bought in China in long wheelbase form, with the new XF L being the first aluminium-bodied car built in China. It’s being built as part of JLR’s joint venture with Chery at a new state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Changshu.

The new aluminium-bodied car also debuts a couple of new tech features: As many of these cars will be chauffeur driven, there’ll be wifi for rear passengers, along with the option of folding tables, massaging seats and electric window blinds. And for the driver, the latest InControl Touch Pro infotainment system with its 10.2-inch touchscreen works alongside a configurable 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

With an eye on China’s poor air quality, there’s also new cabin air ionisation technology to make the air inside the car more comfortable.

Two 2.0-litre and one 3.0-litre supercharged V6 petrol engine will be offered, with all versions getting an eight speed auto box driving the rear wheels.

Although the aluminium-bodied XF L features the same interior layout as the standard car, it will be offered with a slightly different trim, as Jaguar design director, Ian Callum, explained in a press brief. “We have put more chrome in the car because we felt it was more in keeping with local tastes,” he added.