‘Baby’ Jaguar XE aimed at the younger market
“A TRUE sports saloon with classleading dynamics, refinement and technology”.
That’s how British carmaker Jaguar is describing its upcoming new compact executive sedan, the XE, which has its sights set on the younger market and will be unveiled to the world in September.
The manufacturer is already teasing us with snippets of information, and we can confirm that this “true driver’s car” – which will rival the BMW 3 Series, MercedesBenz C-Class (see our test elsewhere in this issue) and Audi A4 – will feature lightweight and mostly-aluminium underpinnings.
It gets an Integral Link rear suspension which, according to Jaguar, offers stiffer and crisper handling versus the more-conventional multi-link setup in the segment. The UK-built compact sportssedan also gets a double-wishbone front suspension from the sporty FType, with levels of stiffness being compared to the hardcore XFR.
Steering feel should be meaty, with the XE getting a new-genera- tion of Electric Power Assisted Steering. The software here allows for minute tuning for best driver feedback, and easier parking at pedestrian speeds.
And general grip-levels should be top drawer too, with the new All Surface Progress Control wizardry, developed in conjunction with Land Rover, promising claw-like traction from the rear-wheel drive saloon. Described as electronically gaining traction with far less drama than a human driver can achieve, the system works “like a low-speed cruise control for optimum traction in the most slippery conditions”.
Spy shots show the XE as smaller than the XF with a low bonnet, shorter front and rear overhangs, and a familiar Jag nose. Power will come from a new family of lightweight, low-emission fourcylinder petrol and diesel engines, billed by Jag as its all-new Ingenium engine range – while the range-topper should get the supercharged V6 from the F-Type.
“It’s not just a shrunken XF, it’s so much more than that,” said the company’s head of design, Ian Callum, recently. Watch this space for details as they emerge.