Jaguar XE unveiled

Jaguar's most important new car ever has been unveiled. The XE, the "alloy-intensive" mid-size prestige sedan that will take on the likes of BMW's 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz's C-Class to drive Jaguar's volume growth, made its world debut in lavish style in London this morning in its most potent form – the 250kW supercharged V6 S model.

The S headlines an XE line-up that will also include models powered by Jaguar's latest 'Ingenium' four-cylinder turbocharged petrol and diesel engines.

Details of the full XE line-up will be rolled out at the Paris motor show in October, but Jaguar has revealed the range will offer CO2 outputs as low as 99g/km (equivalent to fuel consumption of 3.8L/100km) in the case of a 120kW manual turbo-diesel model. More body styles are expected to join the sedan in due course.

The supercharged S is no wall-flower. Its 450Nm powerplant drives the 1474kg four-door to 100km/h from standstill in 5.1 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h. Fuel consumption is a claimed 8.3L/100km.

Even higher performance versions of the XE are expected via Jaguar Land Rover's new SVR division, its direct response to Mercedes-AMG and BMW M.

Jaguar described the XE's body-structure as "aluminium intensive". Steel is used for some panels, much of the rear floor structure and to strengthen the B-pillars, however, around 75 per cent of the car is aluminium. The vehicle is claimed to be the lightest, stiffest and most aerodynamic "saloon" Jaguar has ever built.

It is the first model developed from Jaguar Land Rover's new modular vehicle architecture. The company claims it will set the standard for driving dynamics in the mid-size segment.

At 2835mm, the XE's wheelbase is longer than the latest 3 Series generation but 5mm shorter than the latest C-Class. The XE is also between the two Germans in length overall but is wider and lower than both. Jaguar is trumpeting the low mass of the XE; however, we'll have to wait for more details before being able to offer an informed comparison.

Suspension is double-wishbone at the front, unique in the class, with the rear a new 'Integral link' design, which Jaguar claims is usually found only in "larger, more expensive vehicles". Electrically assisted power steering (EPAS) is used – a first for the marque.

Although package protected for all-wheel drive, the XE is resolutuely rear drive. It debuts a new low-speed traction enhancement system dubbed All Surface Progress Control (ASPC), which is aimed primarily at markets with harsh winters. This system works like a "low speed cruise control" by controlling the brakes and powertrain to deliver "optimum traction in the most slippery conditions without skidding and without the driver using the pedals".

XEs will feature eight-speed conventional automatic gearboxes. The exception appears to be the low emission 99g/km turbodiesel version for European markets. No DCTs are planned.

Safety features include autonomous emergency braking, laser head-up display technology and the normal suite of active and passive features. Jaguar says it expects the XE to be awarded a five-star NCAP crash rating.

The XE range will be built at Jaguar Land Rover's Solihull plant in an all-new purpose-built facility. Part of a claimed £1.5bn investment, the state-of-the-art manufacturing site will create 1700 jobs and will eventually also construct Jaguar's first SUV, previewed in the CX-17 concept.

In Jaguar's PR bumph for the XE, much is made of the car's styling. The company claims the small sedan's rear haunches are influenced by the F-TYPE coupe and rear lights feature elements "inherited from the iconic E-type". The drag co-efficient of the XE is the lowest Jaguar has ever achieved – a claimed 0.26Cd.

Jaguar design boss and genuine marque enthusiast, Ian Callum, said of the new four-door: "Our mission was to create an exciting and dynamic design clearly reflecting the XE's positioning as a serious driver's car. The cab-rearward proportions and tight packaging achieve that and give the XE the appearance of movement even when it's standing still.

"It bears a strong family resemblance to the F-TYPE and will stand apart in the crowd.”

It will need to if the XE is to help rebuild Jaguar in markets like Australia. In 2013 Jaguar as a brand sold just 1105 cars in total Down Under. Key XE competitors, like the Series and C-Class sedans each sold more than five times that in their own right, not including coupe and other body variants.

The XE is expected to go on sale in Australia in the third quarter of 2015.

In preparation for the launch, Jaguar Australia is understood to be reviewing its dealer network in terms of numbers and locations, as well as increasing investment in facilities. Some long-standing dealers are expected to be replaced as the brand seeks to re-establish itself in the Australian marketplace.