Geneva Motor Show: Jaguar announces compact executive XE for 2015
Set to launch in 2015, the XE puts Jaguar back into a vitally important fleet segment against the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class – a sector which it hasn’t competed in since the X-Type ended production in 2010.
It debuts Jaguar Land Rover’s new Ingenium fuel-efficient petrol and diesel engines, manufactured at the new £500m plant in Wolverhampton. Designed for rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive compatibility, the highest performance versions are claimed to achieve a 186mph top speed.
Also new is use segment’s first aluminium monocoque chassis, previewed as the C-X17 SUV concept at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, which will help achieve the targeted best-in-class fuel economy as well as handling and performance benefits from its low weight. The C-X17 concept is also said to hint at a future SUV model, sharing the XE's platform and targeting another fleet-heavy sector of the premium market.
Dr Ralf Speth, Chief Executive Officer, Jaguar Land Rover, said: ‘We announced just a few weeks ago that our new Engine Manufacturing Centre would produce a new family of premium, lightweight, low-friction, low emission four-cylinder petrol and diesel units. The first of our Ingenium engine range will be used in our all-new mid-sized Jaguar sports sedan. That car will be called the Jaguar XE, and it will be unveiled in production form later this year.’
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