Marton Pettendy•5 Mar 2014
NEWS
GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Jaguar XE exposed
Jaguar teases its all-new mid-size sedan; confirms XE name for next year's born-again BMW 3 Series rivalJaguar has released the first teaser image of its first direct rival for the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class since the unloved X-Type of more than a decade ago.
Now also officially confirmed to bear the ‘XE’ nameplate, as we anticipated six months ago – rather than XS, as also rumoured – the all-new mid-size luxury sedan can be seen in the this single full-frontal image for the first time.
Jaguar also used yesterday’s Geneva motor show opening to reveal a series of images of the vital new model’s new aluminium chassis, which will be shared with Jaguar’s first SUV, previewed by the C-X17 concept.
While Jaguar’s first crossover had already been confirmed to follow it into showrooms, the company has now announced XE sedan will begin rolling into dealerships globally by mid-2015, following its reveal in final production form later this year.
To be positioned beneath the large XF sedan and XJ limousine in Jaguar’s passenger car line-up, the XE will be the first car in its segment to employ an aluminium monocoque chassis – something the larger XF does not do.
As such, Jaguar claims it will be "the most advanced, efficient and refined sports sedan” in the volume-selling mid-size premium sedan segment, which opens at a price point under $60,000.
Alongside the first teaser image and pictures of the XE’s chassis, Jaguar has also revealed images of its new 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engine family, which has now been confirmed to go by the umbrella name of Ingenium.
To be built in the UK, the new generation of four-cylinder engines will debut in the XE but should also power a range of other Jaguar models – as well as Land Rovers.
Jaguar Land Rover’s new four-pot engines are designed for both transverse and longitudinal applications in rear- and all-wheel drive vehicles, and will emit less than 100g/km of CO2 while offering top speeds in excess of 300km/h.
“We announced just a few weeks ago that our new Engine Manufacturing Centre would produce a new family of premium, lightweight, low-friction, low emission four-cylinder petrol and diesel units,” said Jaguar Land Rover CEO Dr Ralf Speth at Geneva.
“The first of our Ingenium engine range will be used in our all-new mid-sized Jaguar sports sedan. That car will be called the Jaguar XE, and it will be unveiled in production form later this year.”
While the teaser image reveals an edgier take on the still-sharp XF’s front-end design, the chassis shots suggest the XE will feature an unusually short rear deck, making it more of a fastback than a traditional three-box sedan.
“The new Jaguar XE is every bit a modern Jaguar; more compact in size but visually striking,” said Jaguar Director of Design, Ian Callum.
“Customers will expect a great deal from a mid-size Jaguar – it must be practical but premium. We never forget we are designing a Jaguar and that means it must be as exciting to look at and drive as it is brilliant to run and practical to own. We believe we've done just that with the Jaguar XE.”
Jaguar will announce full technical and model range details of the XE later this year, after the all-new F-TYPE Coupe joins the roadster on sale in Australia.
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Written byMarton Pettendy
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