Jaguar XE: A credible challenge to German rivals

The world premiere of the Jaguar XE was revealed in London last week at a star-studded event held at Earls Court in Central London. The XE will compete in the hotly-contested small executive sedan segment, head to head with BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-Class and Audi A4. The first public showing of the new XE will be at the Paris Motor Show next month, with first delivery to customers in May 2015.
Ian Callum, Jaguar’s chief designer said at the event: “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.”
The XE is also the lightest, stiffest and most aerodynamic Jaguar saloon ever built. It is also the first Jaguar to be equipped with electric power steering, tuned to provide exceptional responsiveness and feel but with lower energy consumption than hydraulic systems. The XE boasts the lowest cost of ownership of any Jaguar and is also the most environmentally sustainable.
The XE comes packed with safety features including traffic sign recognition, a lane departure warning system, blind spot monitoring, and self-parking. Adaptive cruise control means the car can keep a safe distance from the car in front autonomously, while the XE's fighter-jet-style head up display (HUD) uses lasers to project a clearer display of vital information such as speed and sat-nav directions onto the car's windscreen.
The model displayed by Jaguar was the range topping Jaguar XE S with a supercharged 3.0 liter engine V6 which shifts the car from 0 to 60MPH in 4.9 seconds. It is the same engine fitted in the Jaguar F-Type. The exterior design follows in the footsteps of the medium size XF. Callum indicated that the company decided to stick with the Jaguar design philosophy which people have come to appreciate in the XF and XJ. He describes the XE as a sports saloon with a long bonnet and cabin set backwards with a coupe profile. The XE is longer than a 3 series, shorter than an A4 with an interior comparable to the C Class.
The XE is the first car in the world to be equipped with All Surface Progress Control (ASPC). This all-new system, developed with the input of decades of Jaguar Land Rover experience in off-road traction systems, works like a low-speed cruise control. ASPC functions between 3.6km/h and 30km/h: by precisely controlling the brake system and the powertrain it delivers optimum traction in the most slippery conditions without skidding and without the driver using the pedals.
Connectivity is key in this segment, and the XE gets an eight-inch touchscreen, while Jaguar InControl apps are compatible with Apple and Android smartphones for access to internet radio, traffic information, news and navigation.
InControl can also be used to pre-heat or cool the car's interior and can alert the driver if the car is stolen. Optional WiFi connects to up to eight devices, while the XE gets a powerful 250W six-speaker stereo developed by Harman Kardon as standard. An even more powerful 380W, 10-speaker premium stereo from British specialist, Meridian, is a cost option. 
The aluminum-intensive Jaguar XE is the first model developed from Jaguar Land Rover’s new modular vehicle architecture and will set the standard for driving dynamics in the midsize segment. The long wheelbase and low seating position enable perfect proportions and a streamlined, coupe-like profile.
The XE S will be joined by other models powered by efficient 2.0-liter, four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines matched to smooth-shifting six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic transmissions.
The XE is also lightweight with most components made of aluminum. It is 20 percent stiffer than an XF. Jaguar's keen to highlight the sporty nature of the Jaguar XE's steering, which will deliver a “connected steering feel”. What's more, the system is adjustable via Jaguar Driver Control – with Dynamic, Normal, Eco and Winter modes.
At launch, the Jaguar XE will only be available with rear-wheel drive, but by 2016 the car will also be available with all-wheel drive. It uses aspects of Land Rover's Terrain Response system to deliver huge grip in all weather conditions and will rival Audi Quattro and BMW xDrive models.
The XE will also get a revised version of the eight-speed automatic gearbox that is used elsewhere in the Jaguar line-up, but will also be available with an all-new six speed manual gearbox. It should suit the new car's sporty character, and make the car slightly cheaper to buy.
Sitting in the driver’s seat the car feels much lower than its rivals. It also has the same gear selector that rises from the center console as other Jaguars do. There is a centrally-mounted screen but also many buttons for ease of use.
Boot space is flexible with rear seats that split 40:20:40 and a standard capacity of 485 liters – five liters more than a BMW 3 Series. The boot-lid can also be electrically operated at extra cost.
The Xe is expected to retail at about $44,000. The XE is a crucial vehicle for Jaguar and is expected to provide much needed volume for the brand that has ambitions to grow combined Jaguar and Land Rover sales to 750,000 vehicles a year by 2020, with a longer-range target of one million. Last year, Jaguar sold 76,668 cars worldwide. The aluminum-intensive Jaguar XE will be manufactured at an all-new facility — the flexible Jaguar Land Rover Solihull plant that is part of a $2.5 billion investment.