The Jaguar XF has been updated for 2021, receiving a refined look on the outside plus some much-needed updates inside.

The updates constitute a mid-cycle refresh for Jaguar’s svelte mid-size sedan, which we’ll see in showrooms later this year.

2021 Jaguar XF

You’d have to be a Jaguar die-hard to recognize the changes on the outside. The sheet metal is mostly the same while the headlights are slimmer and the taillights are fitted with new internals. The grille also features a new mesh pattern and buyers have the option of a styling pack that adds black accents on items like the grille, side vents, and window surround, among others.

The big news is what’s happening inside. The cabin has been brought up to date with a curved 11.4-inch display replacing the small in-dash display of the current XF. The large screen serves as the main hub for an overhauled infotainment system Jaguar calls Pivi Pro.

2021 Jaguar XF

According to the automaker, the infotainment system is simpler to use, with many frequently used functions now accessible in just two taps or less. The system also integrates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. Over-the-air updates are also supported, and a surround-view camera is standard.

You’ll also spot more digital controls below the infotainment screen for the comfort settings, and the instrument cluster is also a large digital unit now. The old rotary dial gear selector has also been replaced by a more conventional shift lever. Similar changes feature in an updated 2021 F-Pace.

2021 Jaguar XF

In the powertrain department, buyers in the United States have just two options to choose from, both of them 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4s. The base powertrain delivers 246 horsepower and is available with rear- or all-wheel drive. The more powerful unit delivers up 296 hp and comes with all-wheel drive only. An 8-speed automatic is standard across the range.

Buyers can look forward to 0-60 mph acceleration in 6.5 seconds with the 246-hp output and 5.8 seconds with the 296-hp output. A more potent option in the form of a turbocharged inline-6 could be added at a later date.

2021 Jaguar XF Sportbrake

Pricing information for the 2021 XF will be announced closer to the market launch. The XF Sportbrake station wagon has also been updated for 2021 but it’s availability in the United States is yet to be announced.

For more on the Jaguar XF, read the in-depth reviews at The Car Connection.

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Nissan on Tuesday unveiled a concept version of the Leaf electric car designed to serve as an emergency-response vehicle for natural disasters.

The Nissan Re-Leaf concept sports weatherproof sockets mounted directly to the exterior, allowing it to serve as an emergency power source. They enable 110-volt to 230-volt devices to be charged directly from the Leaf’s battery pack.

The automaker already offers bi-directional charging on the Leaf in Japan, allowing the car to discharge power from its battery pack to power buildings. That capability isn’t available in the United States, although Wallbox announced an aftermarket alternative earlier this year. So far, only the Lucid Air is confirmed to get bi-directional charging capability straight from the factory in the U.S.

In Japan, Nissan said it has used the Leaf to provide emergency power and transportation in the aftermath of disasters since 2011. The automaker said a fully-charged Leaf battery pack has ample power to run equipment like a medical ventilator or 100-watt LED floodlight for 24 hours or more. Nissan currently offers a 40-kilowatt-hour battery pack in the base Leaf, and a 62-kwh pack in the Leaf Plus model.

Nissan Re-Leaf concept

The Re-Leaf concept also features wider front and rear tracks, and a raised ride height that creates 8.8 inches of ground clearance. The concept rides on 17-inch Compomotive MO5 wheels with BF Goodrich Baja All Terrain tires. Fender flares, mud flaps, and an LED light bar round out the visual changes.

Inside, the rear seats were removed and the floor flattened to create more cargo space. Nissan also used some of that space for a pull-out desk, which extends from the rear hatch. Sporting a 32-inch LED screen and a dedicated power supply, it’s meant to function as an operational hub at disaster sites, according to Nissan.

The Re-Leaf concept isn’t destined for production, but the idea of using electric cars as backup power sources is getting attention. So-called “vehicle-to-grid” or “V2G” could allow electric cars to supplement the grid when needed.

Electric emergency vehicles are also slowly entering service. Nissan built an electric ambulance for the Tokyo Fire Department, and the Los Angeles Fire Department is scheduled to take delivery of North America’s first electric fire truck in 2021.

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