Commuters in the heart of London’s business district were stopped in their tracks this morning as the all-new Jaguar XF seemingly achieved the impossible and performed the world’s longest hire-wire water crossing.
Jaguar’s newest saloon demonstrated its poise, agility and dramatic good looks as London’s business community watched in awe. The new XF made a careful journey across two, three centimetre thin wires suspended high above the waters of Canary Wharf.
Meteorological experts and structural engineers were on hand to determine precise drive conditions, based on comprehensive crosswind analysis. As a contingency, top stunt man Jim Dowdall was rigged up with abseil equipment, a cherry picker crane was on hand and a RIB safety speedboat waited on the banks.
The sky-high tightrope journey showcased the XF’s lightweight credentials – its new aluminium body means it is 80kg lighter than its nearest competitor and 190kgs lighter than its predecessor.
The new XF is the third Jaguar to be based on the brand’s advanced aluminium architecture, making every Jaguar now produced aluminium intensive. The British firm is the globally recognised leader in high-tech aluminium construction, which leads to strong and safe but ultra-lightweight body structures.
Less weight means better efficiency and the new lightweight XF can now boast segment-leading figures of over 70mpg and 104g/Km CO2. It also offers more rear seat space than its competitors as well as new touch screen technology and unrivalled levels of luxury and refinement.
The all-new XF will next be seen in America on 1 April, where it will debut at the New York International Auto Show.
