A dark blue Jaguar XFL, seen in the Chinese capital Beijing. The Jag was covered in a thick layer of dust but looked otherwise fine. The XFL is a long-wheelbase variant of the X260 Jaguar XF sedan.
The Jaguar XFL is manufactured in China by the Chery Jaguar Land Rover (Chery JLR) joint venture. Chery JLR was founded in 2012. The XFL was launched in 2017 with a major update in 2021, and it is still on the market today. That’s a long production run for China. The car that I saw is a post-update example.
With the longer wheelbase, the Jaguar XFL suddenly becomes a very large car. Jaguar managed to integrate the extra length into the design beautifully. The proportions are perfect, it looks like it was born in this way. Size comparison:
Jaguar XF: 4969/1880/1457, 2960.
Jaguar XFL (2021): 5102/1890/1456, 3100.
The extra 14 centimeters of wheelbase translates into an enormously spacious rear-seat compartment, with shiploads of legroom. This car had classy red leather seats, and the owner got himself a black pillow and a yellow plush duck with a bright orange beak.
The front looks luxurious too but you can see that car’s age by looking at the screen situation. The screens are notably small compared to cars offered by the competition. The instrument panel is 12.3-inch and the touch screen is only 11.4-inch. But that red leather looks really nice.
Jaguar offers various trim levels and engines for the XFL. The car we have here is a 2.0 turbo R Dynamic. The Chinese trim level name is (translated) Elite Sports. The 2.0 turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine has an output of 250 hp and 365 Nm. The engine is mated to an eight-speed AMT, sending horses to the front wheels. The top speed is 240 km/h and 0-100 takes 7.4 seconds. It sells for 454.800 yuan or $63.2K.
Characters: 奇瑞捷豹 (Qíruì Jiébào, Chery Jaguar). The name of the joint venture is 奇瑞捷豹路虎 (Qíruì Jiébào Lùhǔ), Chery Jaguar Land Rover.
The high price and the old-fashionedness make the XFL a slow seller in China, just like any JLR product. Jaguar urgently needs to bring on another update to keep the XFL relevant. Or better, to bring on a completely new car with an electric powertrain. Many more Chinese car brands are launching high-end electric sedans that leave an old-shooly like the XFL in the dust.