Jaguar XE range pared back

Update, February 28: Jaguar Land Rover Australia has told carsales.com.au that it's not in a position to discuss the possibility of the inline six-cylinder Ingenium engine turning up in the XE next year, when the new six is scheduled to debut in a Jaguar product.

The clear message from the importer is that Australian buyers are content with a high-performance petrol four-cylinder in the mainstream Jaguar XE range. But there's no reason to believe JLRA would ignore a stove-hot Ingenium six in the mid-size sedan, if that opportunity opened up for Aussie consumers.

For the moment, however, it seems that the XE will remain exclusively four-cylinder. If there had been demand for an XE six, JLRA would have some in its runout stock of 2019 models.

As it stands, however, the local XE inventory comprises the four-cylinder XE 300 Sport model, in numbers sufficient to satisfy XE demand from buyers through to the introduction of the 2020 model "three or four months" from now.

Jaguar Land Rover Australia has announced a major revamp for the local specification of its mid-size passenger sedan, the Jaguar XE – a car that's already facing an existential threat.

The importer has revealed that the 2020 Jaguar XE range will be confined to two variants – the R-Dynamic SE and R-Dynamic HSE – both powered by the Ingenium 221kW turbocharged petrol four-cylinder. That means an end to the diesel and V6 variants with effect from April production. It also ends importation and sales of the 147kW turbo-petrol four-cylinder variants.

"Customers like petrol in Jaguar XE; the diesel's not been highly in demand, so we're taking the opportunity to refine our line-up in Australia..." explained James Scrimshaw, Product Public Affairs Manager at Jaguar Land Rover Australia.

The entry-level price for the Jaguar XE range has risen to $65,670 for the new entry-level model, the R-Dynamic SE variant and the R-Dynamic HSE is priced at $71,940. Both prices exclude on-road costs. While the pricing is now higher than before, adjusted for specification – and compared with its direct competitors – the new car represents very good value, Scrimshaw said.

"Pretty much we've got R-Dynamic models at a price where the core model would be, so we're very happy with what [specification] we've been able to get into that car."

Apart from the facelift – bumpers and all-LED headlights and tail-lights – the XE now features a new interior drawing influences from the all-electric Jaguar I-PACE for the Touch Pro Duo infotainment system with 12.3-inch touch screen and the new steering wheel. Other new items include the ClearSight interior rear view mirror with built-in display from the reverse-facing camera, plus DAB+ digital radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and wireless device charging.

Features fitted as standard for the R-Dynamic SE variant comprise electric leather seats, front and rear park aid, rear camera and lane keep assist.

In addition, the R-Dynamic HSE models move up to 19-inch alloy wheels, Touch Pro Duo, Blind Spot Assist, Adaptive cruise control, High speed emergency braking, 18-way front seats with driver’s position memory, electrically adjustable steering column and a Meridian Audio System.

The revised XE carries over the 221kW Ingenium engine, a turbocharged petrol four-cylinder mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and driving to the rear alloy wheels, which measure 18 inches in diameter. JLR claims the XE with this powertrain can complete the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.9 seconds.

The SE and HSE trim-level nomenclature has been adopted from Land Rover, Scrimshaw said, and the company is dropping the previous 'Prestige', 'Portfolio', 'R-Sport' and 'S' labels, which didn't convey the differentiation between the trim levels.

Local deliveries of the MY2020 Jaguar XE will commence from July, according to Scrimshaw. Australian production begins in April.

"Anyone ordering one now is ordering 20MY [the updated model]... and those cars will start to get here in July."

JLR Australia is currently holding 2019 model year stock of the Jaguar XE 300 Sport with the same powertrain as the 2020 models yet to arrive.

"There is still 19 model year 300 Sport available – because we've only just launched that car – so we've still got a very fresh 19 model year [inventory] that will carry us across for the next three or four months."

"Over the last couple of years the trend has been more to petrol cars; that's what the customers are looking for. They don't go to an XE looking for a diesel derivative in that car. So that's what we're offering now."

It's a backflip from JLR Australia, after telling local media two years ago that the company would offer Australian consumers most variants in every model range. But that no longer applies in the case of the XE.

"We can't be all things to all people with every single model in the range," says Scrimshaw. "We're not as big as some of our competitors; we've really got to pick where we think our strengths are."