by "LJ909" (lj909)
Published 04/25/2017 at 13:02
by "LJ909" (lj909)
Published 04/25/2017 at 13:02
No Tags
STARS: 2
The XF Sportbrake is set to launch this summer. I just found out about this when I saw the teaser video for it on Youtube. Could wagons really be making a comeback? Or is Jaguar placing bets that they can sell this alongside the F-Pace and succeed? We will see when its reveled. Do you guys think this can do well? They haven’t had a wagon since the X-Type Estate.
"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
04/25/2017 at 13:12, STARS: 0
Mercedes still manages to sell expensive wagons despite the GLE/A existing, so it is possible this could work.
"duurtlang" (duurtlang)
04/25/2017 at 13:16, STARS: 1
They designed it for the European market, where a wagon is almost mandatory for success. It must be relatively cheap to offer a wagon that’s already there anyway in the US.
"LJ909" (lj909)
04/25/2017 at 13:20, STARS: 0
Not like they used too though. I cant tell you the last time I seen an E Class wagon, and they dont even offer a C Class wagon anymore.
"Jared E" (jaredeast)
04/25/2017 at 13:20, STARS: 2
Estateside
"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
04/25/2017 at 13:21, STARS: 1
I see plenty, but I live in an affluent area so...
"LJ909" (lj909)
04/25/2017 at 13:30, STARS: 0
That could be a reason. Even in the affluent areas around me though I never see them. I saw an E55 wagon a few months ago but it was like an 05.
"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
04/25/2017 at 13:40, STARS: 0
I
’
m also in an affluent area that is fond of Mercs, but the GL and ML outnumber the E wagon at least 100:1, maybe closer to 1,000:1. Even the R
-
class is probably 20:1. The wagon is
a novelty, but my view on most wagons is that you really have to want one, against almost all logic and judgment. It
’
s a gut purchase.
"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
04/25/2017 at 13:42, STARS: 0
Apparently the US regulations demand a complex and costly certification for every possible configuration, which is a big part of why we have so few options here (including wagons). Everything is typically sold in just a couple of packages, almost always directly from dealer inventory.
"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
04/25/2017 at 13:43, STARS: 1
The wealthies here are of the eccentric sort. They’re more likely to buy a Grand Wagoneer or an XJ6 than a new Range Rover or 7 Series.
"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
04/25/2017 at 13:49, STARS: 0
Yep, we’re all traditional Rangie and 7-Series “country club” types. An eccentric wealthy boomer might have a Nissan GT-R or something. But I haven’t seen a (non-hipster-esque) Wagoneer in at least a decade. That is, one driven for reasons other than nostalgia for 80s movies. I miss What About Bob.
"duurtlang" (duurtlang)
04/25/2017 at 14:09, STARS: 0
I realize that. It’s almost like it’s designed as a barrier to protect the market from outside influences. But regardless, adjusting/testing an already existing car based on a car that’s already available in the US is cheaper than designing it from scratch.
"smobgirl" (smobgirl)
04/25/2017 at 14:10, STARS: 1
One local running route here (that I was quite fond of) has TWO E63 AMG wagons on it. So much want.
"BvdV - The Dutch Engineer" (dutchengineer)
04/25/2017 at 14:27, STARS: 0
They did have a wagon since the X-type estate, the first gen XF had an estate version too:
More on topic, I think a Jaguar estate might be quite the niche in the US, but what do I (as a European) know.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
04/25/2017 at 14:27, STARS: 0
It’s a niche car that starts at $62k, they’re not going to be common.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
04/25/2017 at 14:30, STARS: 1
Modern Jaguars have hilariously loud exhausts. I was behind an F-Type yesterday and it was obnoxious in a lovely way. But even the F-Pace has a much louder exhaust than you would expect from a midsize luxury crossover. So hopefully this one will also have a silly loud exhaust.
"LJ909" (lj909)
04/25/2017 at 14:40, STARS: 1
I meant a wagon that has been offered here in the states. But I do think that its going to be a niche here. Not only that but they are competing with themselves in a sense by offering this and the F-Pace.
"LJ909" (lj909)
04/25/2017 at 14:42, STARS: 0
Yea Ive noticed they have been tuning their exhaust for a sporty tone. the F Type is terrific because of that. I was behind an F-Pace the other day and it had the 3.5. When it took off the way it sounded made me think of the first and current gen Infiniti FX35 (or Q whatever its called now). Sounds nice though but its unexpected.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
04/25/2017 at 14:54, STARS: 1
Agreed on the Infiniti FX (which is now the QX70). The VQ V6 isn’t the most refined motor out there but damn if it doesn’t sound nice from outside the car. I was actually tempted to buy an FX50S, because it’s a crossover that’s hiding a 390 hp V8, big brakes, adaptive shocks, and surprisingly good handling. Unfortunately it’s a gas guzzler and has super expensive 21" tires.
"LJ909" (lj909)
04/25/2017 at 15:02, STARS: 0
Thats if you can even find one. For some reason once Infiniti stopped offering the V8 new, they have all but disappeared on the used market, for both first gen FX45's and second gen Fx50's. Either they didnt make enough, no one bought them or a combo of both.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
04/25/2017 at 15:17, STARS: 1
Probably a combination. I’m used to having to go outside my local market to buy cars, because inevitably I want something specific and have to leave Madison and go to Milwaukee or Chicago. I bought my 335xi from a private seller in San Diego because at the time he had the only stick shift Le Mans Blue, oyster Dakota leather, aluminum trim E92 335xi M Sport in the country for sale.
"ranwhenparked" (ranwhenparked)
04/25/2017 at 18:12, STARS: 1
Several other automakers have proven that Americans will indeed buy station wagons. You just need to add roof rails and plastic body cladding, and maybe put the either the letter “X” or the word “cross” in the name. It is a winning formula that has been proven time and again.
If Jaguar Land Rover went that route, it would make total sense.
Of course, their passenger car sales are so small, relatively speaking, that it wouldn’t take massive numbers for even a regular wagon to be considered a big success for them in percentage terms. They sold less than 6,700 XF sedans here in all of 2016, so even moving 300-400 would be like a 5% increase.
"LJ909" (lj909)
04/25/2017 at 18:21, STARS: 0
I forget how small their sales here really are. But you’re right. With the crossover boom, automakers have been forced to turn to bogus ass terms to sell wagons, if they want to sell wagons. Just look at what Buick did with the Regal TourX. We all know its a wagon, but they know wagons dont sell here. So they have to position it as some kind of Outback, allroad competitor with an X in the name, body cladding and roofrails for “active lifestyles”. Its sucks they have to resort to that bullshit.
"ranwhenparked" (ranwhenparked)
04/25/2017 at 18:24, STARS: 1
It does, but it does work. To be fair, Jaguar Land Rover’s total sales are pretty healthy - its just that most of their sales carry either the “Land Rover” or “F-Pace” name. Its the car sales that are rather paltry, but there’s more than one luxury car brand you can say that about.
"ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback" (armadaexpress)
04/26/2017 at 10:22, STARS: 0
I had an FX50, and it was glorious. Although it was outright terrible in the snow even with the right tires. But the sound... I kind of miss that car. But I did get a little bored with it, probably because it’s only available as an automatic. And yes the tires are super expensive, being that the rims are 21".
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
04/26/2017 at 11:02, STARS: 0
I was thinking if I had one I would go down to smaller/narrower wheels for winter, since it has the same brakes as the G37S and Z. Tire Rack when you go to build a winter package keeps suggesting 265-width tires but those are probably too wide to have on all 4 corners in the snow. My winter tires on my 335xi are 255/35-18 Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 on the back but 225/40-18 up front. It did fine this past winter but we got minimal (for Wisconsin, at least) snow so hard to say for sure.
That Nissan 7-speed auto is ok at best. Stock for stock it’s a little better than the BMW 6-speed Steptronic but nowhere near as good as the ZF 8-speed. I used to kinda hate that old BMW 6-speed Steptronic but there’s now tuning software for it that makes it almost as good as the ZF 8.
"ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback" (armadaexpress)
04/26/2017 at 12:09, STARS: 0
Yeah I was considering going to fx35 wheels because they’d be great to put meaty snow tires on, and could probably go narrower; but then I picked up an Outback XT w/ Manual Transmission and didnt really drive the FX50 anymore. Sold it, and put the cash in my pocket.