Jaguar XE Revealed as New Nemesis to BMW 3 Series
Sitting on an all-new scalable platform with a new aluminum-intensive unibody, the new Jaguar XE sedan has finally been revealed.
The car will arrive in US dealerships in 2016, offering customers a British-built competitor to the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class.
Only one motor for the new XE was revealed in detail, a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 that makes 340 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, hooked up to an eight-speed automatic. This engine will power the XE S, the sportiest trim for the car, allowing it to accelerate to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. Jaguar’s new ingenium engine family will also be fitted into the XE which features compact, lightweight, low-emissions diesel and gasoline turbocharged engines. Details on those motors will be revealed closer to the car’s US debut.
The XE sits at 183.9 inches long and 72.9 inches wide, tipping the scales in S trim at 3,249 pounds. In comparison with a 2014 BMW 335i, the XE is about an inch longer and wider, while weighing about 300 pounds less thanks to new unibody aluminum construction. Jaguar says that the aluminum used is high strength and is predominantly made from recycled materials, moving the company towards its goal of using 75 percent recycled material by 2020 in all of its vehicles.
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New technology can also be found throughout the vehicle, whether you look at the infotainment or the powertrain. A new Surface Progress Control system is fitted in the car to deliver optimal traction when starting out in slippery conditions, acting like a low-speed cruise control which works between two and 19 mph. A new stereo camera system is fitted to provide autonomous emergency braking along with traffic sign reading, lane departure and adaptive cruise control.
Moving inside, Jaguar’s new InControl Infotainment is routed through an eight-inch touchscreen in the dash. The car will act as a WiFi hotspot, and will also allow Apple and Android users to control many of its funtions like pre-setting of the climate control, locking and unlocking the doors, starting the engine and more. Apps on these smart phones can also be accessed through the Jaguar’s touchscreen. Providing entertainment is a Meridian audio system, and a new laser heads-up display is also available inside the car.
The XE will be the cheapest vehicle in the brand’s lineup.
GALLERY: 2016 Jaguar XE
Discuss this story at our Jaguar XE Forum
Stephen covers all of the day-to-day events of the industry as the News Editor at AutoGuide, along with being the AG truck expert. His truck knowledge comes from working long days on the woodlot with pickups and driving straight trucks professionally. When not at his desk, Steve can be found playing his bass or riding his snowmobile or Sea-Doo. Find Stephen on <A title="@Selmer07 on Twitter" href="http://www.twitter.com/selmer07">Twitter</A> and <A title="Stephen on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/117833131531784822251?rel=author">Google+</A>
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This looks good and reads great. 3250lbs??? This 250 lights than the yet to be launched Mustang and @ 500lbs lighter than the F Type V6. If they can dial in the electric steering, have suspension as good as the Caddie CTS/ATS, and sort out rest of the chassis, this could be a serious addition to the segment. Suspect in terms of global sales the 4 cylinder turbo is key, but cannot wait to see what an XE-R is about....they have the engines but does not mean they go that extreme and fit the V8 from the F Type R in this. There 380hp V6 with sports exhaust would be cool enough.
The design reminds me a Mazda 6, thats why i dont believe that Mazda is now apart from Ford.