What's all this then?
Jaguar has detailed its XE saloon line-up ahead of the 3 Series rival's world debut at the Paris Motor Show. It'll start from £26,995 in the UK.
Haven't we seen the XE in detail already?
Not quite. Until today the only images released were of the range-topping XE S model, with suitably sporting bodywork and the F-Type's supercharged 3.0-litre V6 engine under the bonnet. Jaguar has also issued plenty of information about its advanced aluminium construction, its fancy new infotainment and connectivity technology and how it reckons its chassis is the best in the business, but we've had scant specifications for the engine line-up until now, especially on the all-important diesel side.
Ah, tell us more on that front.
Well, Jaguar already revealed that one variant of the XE would emit as low as 99g/km of CO2 and we now know that it's powered by a 163hp version of its new Ingenium diesel engine (maximum torque is 380Nm at 1,750- to 2,500rpm). It's a four-cylinder 2.0-litre unit with a variable geometry turbocharger and lots of clever design details. Fuel economy is as high as 75mpg too. That's when the six-speed manual gearbox is fitted (the first in a Jaguar since 2009), though the eight-speed automatic doesn't reduce efficiency too much, returning 71.7mpg and 104g/km.
That's the BMW 318d beaten then, anything a little quicker?
Yes, Jaguar also revealed a 180hp version of the same engine, which produces a hefty 430Nm of torque. It drops the 0-62mph time from a best of 7.7 seconds in the 163hp car (with the auto) to 7.4 seconds regardless of whether the driver is shifting gears for themselves or not. That's a fraction quicker than the BMW 320d, and the Jaguar XE more or less equals its Bavarian rival in the efficiency stakes (taking the BMW 320d EfficientDynamics as the benchmark), with emissions of 109g/km and economy of 67.3mpg, regardless of transmission.
Sounds like a decent alternative, will it drive as well?
Jaguar certainly hopes so. The XE is rear-wheel drive only for now (all-wheel drive will be available in time) and its chassis is completely new. The rear suspension is particularly impressive looking and Jaguar's engineers are bursting with pride, so we look forward to driving it.
Other than the XE S, are there petrol options?
Yes, a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine features turbocharging and is offered (in automatic guise only) in 200- and 240hp states of tune.
So when can we buy one?
Jaguar dealers in the UK will happily take your deposit from this week, though first deliveries may not be until 2015. Pricing starts at £26,995 for the XE 2.0i 200hp in SE specification. The entry-level diesel model, the XE 2.0d 163hp SE manual, is £29,775. Trim levels range from SE through Prestige, R-Sport and Portfolio, while the range-topping XE S has its own unique specification, priced at £44,870.
Shane O' Donoghue - 1 Oct 2014
