Driving impression: Jaguar XE
The D segment is a competitive one -think BMW 4 Series coupe, Audi A5 Sportback and Mercedes-Benz C- Class – the new Jaguar XE aims to redefine the sports sedan segment. Where competitors have focused on performance or luxury – Jaguar focused on performance, luxury and refinement – with the Jaguar XE!
The cabin is comfortable and the cockpit holds you in a neat and user-friendly cocoon, with all key controls in the right place. There were a few stitching issues along the leather trim on the dashboard, but overall the cabin is what one can expect from a luxury brand such as Jaguar. Center stage is an eight-inch touchscreen that offers the driver easy access to media, navigation features and information displays. I am not a big fan of the new touchscreen fad that has hit the motoring industry, but then again I was the same when it started happening with our cellphones! Hopefully I will catch up with the times sooner rather than later. I just find it a bit tricky to use when driving – like changing the station. It almost feels like yet another mobile device to distract us while driving.
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But thankfully laser projection technology enables the XE’s head-up display to generate sharp, high-contrast colour graphics from a module smaller and lighter than of Jaguar’s existing systems. The HUD can display important information to drivers at eye level, allowing them to keep their focus on the road.
Jaguar’s world-leading expertise in aluminium structure engineering enables exceptional fuel consumption and emissions figures: with a new 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel engine. The XE can also achieve 4.2 litres/100km – making the Jaguar XE the most fuel efficient Jaguar ever.
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Powered by the supercharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine from the acclaimed Jaguar F-TYPE, the XE S is capable of 0-100 km/h in just 5.1 seconds! This was of course the one to drive at the launch and it is not lacking in the fun department in any way. This V6 produces 250 kW of power and 450 N.m of torque and as for the engine note, it will put a smile on your face!
“The Jaguar XE has performance and handling that match its sporty, yet elegant, design,”
says Lisa Mallett, Marketing and Communications Director of Jaguar Land Rover South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.
“Its emotional appeal is further enhanced through superb levels of luxury and use of state-of-the-art materials and technology.”
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The new Jaguar XE, in a nutshell:
- Smallest, lightest, stiffest Jaguar sedan.
- Most aerodynamic Jaguar to date, with a drag coefficient of 0.26.
- High-efficiency 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel: 132kW and 430Nm; 4.2 litres per 100km; 109g/km CO2.
- Supercharged 3.0-litre V6: 250kW and 450Nm; 0-100km/h: 5.1s.
- Six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic transmissions.
- World debut of Jaguar All Surface Progress Control: a revolutionary system that maximizes low-speed traction in adverse conditions.
- Stereo camera technology enables lane departure warning and auto high-beam assist.
- Laser head-up display generates high-contrast colour images.
- Deployable bonnet delivers enhanced pedestrian protection.
The XE completes the Jaguar sedan range, sitting below the XF and XJ model lines. It is a bit expensive when you look at its competitors but, then again, it is a Jag!
Pricing:
Jaguar XE 2.0D Pure R 534 800
Jaguar XE 2.0D Prestige R 590 400
Jaguar XE 2.0D R-Sport R 614 000
Jaguar XE 2.0D Portfolio R 654 600
Jaguar XE 2.0 i4 Prestige R 638 900
Jaguar XE 2.0 i4 R-Sport R 662 600
Jaguar XE 2.0 i4 Portfolio R 703 200
Jaguar XE 3.0 Supercharged S R 908 100