News : Jaguar XE set for London launch in early September

Jaguar XE - Beneath the Skin Part 1

Jaguar will unveil the latest addition to its sports saloon car family, the Jaguar XE, at a star-studded event in London on 8th September. The event will mark the unveiling of a true driver’s car; one that redefines the concept of the sports saloon – a segment that Jaguar created over 50 years ago with iconic models like the Mark II.

Jaguar will bring levels of innovation never seen before in this segment – with its lightweight construction expertise and sophisticated chassis technology in addition to the new family of Ingenium engines – all designed, engineered and manufactured in the UK.

Built around an all-new, aluminium-intensive architecture, the XE combines thrilling performance, agile handling and precise, responsive steering, with outstanding levels of refinement.

Mike Cross, Chief Engineer of Vehicle Integrity, said: ‘Jaguars have always been renowned for a balance of precise handling and a high-quality ride. The XE is the culmination of everything the company has learned over the years. The Integral Link rear suspension provides a combination of supple ride and crisp handling that is unmatched in this segment. We are on target to deliver a vehicle that dynamically outperforms our rivals.”

Integral Link rear suspension

Unique to this segment, the integral link suspension delivers major benefits over conventional multi-link designs. By providing lateral and longitudinal stiffness, the integral link delivers sharp response and handling while retaining a refined, luxurious ride.

Many components of the integral link suspension have been forged or hollow-cast in aluminium. These are the optimum production techniques to produce a strong, lightweight solution.

Front suspension based on F-TYPE sportscar

Mounted to a subframe with cast aluminium suspension towers, the XE’s double wishbone front suspension delivers the highest levels of handling and road holding.

The advanced design is based on Jaguar’s flagship F-TYPE sports car and includes some key components designed to deliver Jaguar XFR-levels of stiffness. These ensure the XE enjoys a similar level of agility and ‘connected’ steering feel. Like the rear suspension, many components are made from cast and forged aluminium and some are produced using a patented process.

Class-leading steering feel

Jaguar is renowned for its steering feel and this will now move to the next level as the XE becomes the first Jaguar to be equipped with the latest generation Electric Power Assisted Steering.

Our latest software algorithms now allow much greater scope for tuning than hydraulic-based systems and deliver better quality steering feel. Other benefits include variable steering damping, ease of low-speed manoeuvring and the ability to adapt to Jaguar Drive Control settings. EPAS also enables a range of Active Safety and Driver Aid features.

All Surface Progress Control

Even with the best traction control, rear-wheel drive cars can struggle to pull away from rest on very slippery surfaces. For that reason, Jaguar has developed All Surface Progress Control, a completely new feature in its class.

Developed with the input of decades of Jaguar Land Rover experience in off-road traction systems, ASPC can electronically gain traction with far less drama than a human driver can achieve. The system works like a low-speed cruise control to deliver optimum traction in the most slippery conditions without skidding and without the driver using the pedals.

AROnline readers wishing to learn more about the Jaguar XE’s chassis technology can do so by watching the video entitled Jaguar XE: Advanced Aluminium Architecture below.

Clive Goldthorp

22 Comments

  1. I don’t think there has been such an air of optimism about Jaguar since the launch of the XJ in 1968. Also topping JD Power and producing such an excellent product range as they have now has helped. This finally puts to bed the memory of Jaguar making unreliable cars and being caught in the chaos of British Leyland, which almost destroyed them 35 years ago.

  2. Jaguar are now making decent cars, but the old ghosts come back to you.
    Actually last week I saw a BMW 3 series being towed away by the AA and thought, good, last time I saw this with a Jaguar was in the 80s.

  3. Very much looking forward to seeing this. Hard to see this not becoming the class leader. The new C Class has had a lukewarm reception, the new A4 is still some way off and the 3 series is now nearly 3 years old. The trick will be keeping the car up to date and properly planning its succession. The XF, excellent when new now looks and feels very old with no replacement in sight. It festers in the executive car park like a Triumph 2000 in 1977. JLR seem to have got it right with the Evoque though,constant nips and tucks to keep it fresh. They need to draw on this experience with future cars.

    • Can’t agree in the slightest that the XF is past it – still the best looking car in the class inside and out and selling well.

      • XF sales have been steady but well behind its German rivals, helped by the gradual expansion of the range, it’s taken a long time to get a range of variants to (partially) match the German rivals (estate, 2 litre diesel, 4wd)

  4. With respect, Jag’s reputation for unreliability in this sector is a little more recent than those B-L horror days: the relatively recent X-type was a lemon and people like my best mate at school who remembered his dad’s jag having ‘ford’ labels all over the engine bay are probably exactly the target audience now (professionals now in their 30s). Thankfully, no one is going to even utter ‘X-type’ in the same sentence as this car. Flog it as a four door F-type sports saloon and it will sell in the millions- assuming it doesn’t cost 50k for a base model. If this comes up on my company car list as an alternative to a Beemer 320, I’m having one. Definitely.

  5. The Advertising Standards Authority has just banned two Jaguar cars adverts in the last few weeks, the adverts were banned on the grounds antisocial behaviour including aggressive driving and glorifying speed.

    • Shows what a bunch of idiots are working for the advertising authority. Although I suspect if a German car manufacturer were to do the same it would probably go through. I wonder if it’s those naughty Jaguar adverts which have been broadcast on German TV where there is no problem with enjoying driving.

  6. Having got an X350,the first of the aluminium saloons, this car will interest me a lot, as the time may have arrived where I should downsize a bit ! ALl-ally, just like its dad !!

  7. Really looking forward to seeing this!

    I also notice that Jaguar stories dont attract the same vile responses as MG stories?!

    • Probably because JLR products are leading edge, British made and designed, and a real success story to be proud of

      • I am proud of JLR and think that their products are fantastic.

        But let us not forget that MGs worldwide design and technical centre is based in Birmingham – and therefore deserves our support.

  8. Isn’t it time to put to bed the notion that BMW is the holy grail of motoring and start having a bit more confidence it what we can achieve in our own motor industry?

    Let the XE be the benchmark and stop kidding ourselves that BMW cars are reliable value for money because they are absolutely not.

    All this for £280-odd a month nonsense for a beemer should be put into perspective, the car you drive is a renter, not yours.

    At last come another Jaguar that you buy with your own money, like the nothing else like it XJ and balls to residuals….

  9. As someone who picks up and delivers fleet vehicles (amongst others), I hope to have the opportunity to drive one in due course. In my opinion, most BMWs are a bit over-rated, although the 2 litre diesel is a peach, and very capable in every car that it powers.

    So the most important model Jag has to beat will be the 320d. Hopefully, in 3-5 years time it will be the Germans that will be viewed as the ‘also rans’. That is a very tough challenge, but I am sure there will be those in Gaydon rareing to ‘bring it on’.

  10. We have been seeing XE’s locally regularly for the last couple of months all be it in camo, and they look good.

    A couple of weeks ago a convoy of three different coloured ones went past me on the A5 on the way to MIRA. One of them sounded particularly nice (V8 blower?).

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