Jaguar XE to beat 75mpg 29 | 07 | 2014
THE NEW JAGUAR XE, designed by Dumfries's Ian Callum and which is set to be officially unveiled in London on September 8, will include the most fuel-efficient Jaguar ever, the 75mpg diesel.
Utilising a combination of Jaguar's innovative modular vehicle architecture — the XE is the only car in the class to use an aluminium-intensive monocoque, with lightweight aluminium accounting for 75% of the structure — and the firm's new Ingenium engine range, the XE 2.0-litre turbodiesel will deliver more than 75mpg, and dip below the 100g/km CO2 barrier.
The XE, which will go head-to-head with the sector-leading BMW 3-Series and Mercedes C-Class, delivers — according to Jaguar — a milestone in body engineering which ensures the Jaguar XE combines outstanding design with benchmark levels of ride and handling.
Lightweight construction is a core element of Jaguar’s DNA and Jaguar is at the cutting-edge of aluminium technology in the automotive industry. The Jaguar XJ, XK and F-Type have all been developed using exceptionally stiff bonded and riveted aluminium structures: now the XE becomes the latest model to use this aerospace-inspired technology.
“The Jaguar XE body uses over 75% aluminium content, which far exceeds any other car in its class," Dr Mark White, Jaguar’s chief technical specialist, explained.
Related: September unveil for new Jaguar XE
"This gives us a body structure with unrivalled low weight: it’s light but also immensely strong with extremely high levels of torsional stiffness. We’ve made sure our aluminium-intensive body structure exceeds all global safety standards without compromising on vehicle design or refinement.”
The light but strong architecture incorporates highly advanced suspension systems delivering unparalleled levels of ride quality, handling and steering.
Jaguar claims the XE “will be the true driver’s car in the segment”, and backs this statement up with the fact the XE gets double-wishbone front suspension, “with many of the components made from cast and forged aluminium”.
And the company highlights the XE’s electrically assisted steering system is the “latest generation which delivers a better steering feel, variable steering damping, ease of low-speed manoeuvring and a range of active safety and advanced driver assistance functions”.
The Jaguar XE is also the first car in the world make use of a new grade of high strength aluminium called RC 5754 which has been developed specifically for the XE. This new alloy features a high level of recycled material and makes a significant contribution to Jaguar’s goal of using 75% recycled material by 2020.
Designed and engineered in the UK, the XE will be the first Jaguar to be manufactured at a new purpose-built production facility at the company’s Solihull plant in the West Midlands in the UK.
Related: Green light for F-Type Project 7
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Jim McGill