Jaguar releases first XE image 19 | 05 | 2014
THE IS THE first official image released by Jaguar of the car it believes will take the battle to the class-leading BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-class and Audi A4 as it bids to capture a hefty slice of the profitable global compact premium car sector.
The image — released on Jaguar's official Twitter feed — shows one of the final development mules of its XE saloon. The car — penned by Jaguar's Scots design guru Ian Callum — has now begun the latter stages of testing before it's launched officially at the Paris Motor Show in October.
For the first time, the XE's production shape can be seen. Jaguar plans to use subsequent XE mules to sport a camouflage representing the mechanicals underneath the body. It's a significant marketing step, as the XE will be sold on its advanced, lightweight aluminium construction.
And as part of the company's efforts to create a social media buzz around the car, the XE test mules will also carry the #FeelXE Twitter hashtag.
Based on an all-new rear and all-wheel-drive aluminium architecture, the XE will be powered by Jaguar's new generation of 2.0-litre, four-cylinder ‘Ingenium’ engines.
Related: Jaguar's new lightweight E-Type
According to Jaguar, Ingenium is a “new family of premium, lightweight, low-friction, low-emission four-cylinder petrol and diesel units”. It also “utilises the most flexible engine architecture ever produced by Jaguar Land Rover, with an advanced design configured to suit in-line and transverse installations for rear and all-wheel drive configurations”.
As you might expect, Jaguar is staying resolutely tightlipped when it comes to even hinting at an official entry price for the new XE: but we're willing to bet the cheapest model will duck below the psychological £30,000 barrier.
Even at £29,000, that would still make it more expensive than a smaller-engined entry-level 3-series. Interestingly, BMW's hugely-respected 320d EfficientDynamics model will cost you a few quid less than £29k.
Jaguar bosses have also highlighted the XE range will be comprehensive, by stating the Ingenium engines “will be both efficient and powerful, including top speeds of over 186mph and with emissions lower than 100g/km of CO2”.
What does that mean? While there will clearly be an ultra-low emission model, at the other end of the scale there will be a 186mph Jaguar XER-S model pumping out close to 400bhp.
Sensibly, the XE will also get the option of all-wheel drive. This decision is pivotal — as has already been the case by introducing 4WD to its current XF and XJ models — to boosting sales in the ‘snow belt’ states of North America, a massive market for Jaguar.
The XE is expected to go on sale in Jaguar's Scottish dealers next Spring.
Related: Jaguar F-Type coupe captured
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Jim McGill