Giving the Germans some new competition.
Jaguar wanted to make a splash with its new XE sports sedan and boy did they put on a show at Earls Court, London. In what appeared to be an acid-induced trip through time detailing a young Ian Callum, Jaguar Director of Design, filled with rockers, dancers, and other tomfoolery, the Jaguar XE S and XE made its debut to an astonished crowd.
Aside from all the ballet dancers and artists performing on stage, the Jaguar XE sports sedan is an impressive machine that will undoubtedly give its German and Japanese counterparts some stiff competition. An all-new lightweight and stiff architecture, supercharged V-6 engine, and driver-oriented design will give a new option to those looking for a more affordable but elegant premium vehicle.
Jaguar has used their newly-developed JLR modular vehicle architecture that uses a great deal of aluminum to keep weight to a minimum. High-strength 6000-series aluminum alloy along with recycled RC 5754 aluminum alloy are used to save weight and minimize environmental impact, alongside 101 lbs. of recycled plastics and renewable materials.
“The XE is as strong and light as it could possibly be thanks to exhaustive analysis and by bringing the latest engineering techniques to bear on its design,” said Dr. Mark White, Chief Technical Specialist, Jaguar; Body Complete. ‘It has been challenging to accomplish but the XE structure is absolutely at the cutting edge of what is achievable today.”
Aluminum is also the alloy of choice for the Jaguar XE’s chassis. The double-wishbone front suspension with aluminum front spindles forged from cast blanks help keep handling crisp and sharp. At the rear, an integral link system gives drivers superb lateral and longitudinal stiffness with a comfortable ride while keeping weight to a minimum. For the first time ever in a Jaguar, the new XE will come standard with electric power steering that gives better feedback and responsiveness over hydraulic systems, adding to the overall driving experience.
Powering the top-of-the-line Jaguar XE S is the same 3.0-liter, supercharged V-6 engine used in the Jaguar F-Type. The 90-degree, V-6 is fed by a twin-vortex Roots-type supercharger with a balance shaft to keep things smooth and creates a healthy 340 horsepower at 6,500 RPM and 332 lb-ft. of torque. Coupled with a lighter version of the ZF eight-speed automatic in the rest of the Jaguar lineup and allow it to reach 60 mph from rest in just 4.9 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph.
While the 3.0-liter, supercharged V-6 engine may be the top-dog, Jaguar will be introducing its new line of Ingenium engines. These advanced, modular-design engines will cut down on emissions drastically while improving fuel efficiency, refinement, and performance. As of now, the new line of engines has not been unveiled, but will be once the new Jaguar XE begins to hit dealerships.
The athletic powertrain and advanced technology is echoed throughout the exterior design of the new Jaguar XE S. Just like Jaguar’s time-traveling play during the unveiling of the XE, Ian Callum drew upon the brand’s heritage while looking towards the future when designing the new sports sedan. Classic proportions with its short front and rear overhands, cab-rearward form, and coupe-like profile make it visually dynamic and athletic, all with a low 0.26 drag coefficient.
“Our mission was to create an exciting and dynamic design clearly reflecting the XE positioning as a serious drivers car. The cab-rearward proportions and tight packaging achieve that and give the XE the appearance of movement even when its standing still,” said Callum. “It bears a strong family resemblance to the F-Type and will stand apart in the crowd.”
The large, powerful air intakes up front and J-blade daytime running lights create the image of a feline on the prowl while a sculpted hood adds visual muscle. A rising waistline creates the sense of speed as it moves towards the rear where it meets the F-Type Coupe-inspired rear quarters. The legendary E-Type even inspired design cues such as the rear lights with a horizontal line intersecting a circle.
Inside, high-tech luxury mixes with sport to give drivers a connected feel. The center console is deep and lends to a cockpit-like feel with the generous amount of head and legroom. Customers will be able to opt for numerous choices of fine-grain leathers with twin-stitching for a bespoke feel and quality while gloss black, textured aluminum, and wood veneers are also available. Jaguar will even offer ten different ambient lighting colors for a warm or sporty atmosphere.
The infotainment system and its eight-inch touchscreen display sits at the heart of the interior. iOS and Andriod device users can connect remotely to the Jaguar XE and control apps that lock and unlock doors, remote start the engine, and even set the climate control system for the next seven days. Standard models will feature a 250-watt, 11-speaker sound system with an optional top-of-the-line Meridian sound system with 825 watts and 15 speakers giving audiophiles a bath of smooth musical notes.
The new Jaguar XE will be produced at the all-new Jaguar Land rover Solihull plant and go on sale in 2015 in global markets. The North American market will get the Jaguar XE in 2016 with model details announced closer to the release date.
Jaguar XE S Specifications
Engine and Transmission:
Engine capacity: (cc) 2,995
Cylinders: 6
Valves per cylinder: 4
Bore / stroke inches (mm): 3.3 / 3.5 (84.5 / 89.0)
Cylinder block: Aluminum alloy
Cylinder heads: Aluminum alloy
Fuel injection equipment: 150bar spray-guided direct injection
Induction system: Twin-Vortex supercharger
Transmission: ZF 8HP45 8-speed automatic
Performance:
Acceleration 0-60 mph (sec): 4.9
Acceleration: 0-100km/h (sec); 5.1
Top speed mph (km/h): 155 (250)
Horsepower: 340 @ 6,500rpm
Torque lb-ft. (Nm): 332 (450) @ 4,500rpm
Dimensions:
Length inches (mm): 183.9 (4,672)
Width excl. mirrors inches (mm): 72.8 (1,850)
Height inches (mm): 55.7 (1,416)
Wheelbase inches (mm): 111.6 (2,835)
Curb weight lbs (kg): From 3,249 (1,474)
Jaguar XE S Gallery
Source: Jaguar
Do you think the new Jaguar XE will be able to compete with the BMW 3-Series?
