By: IOL Motoring Staff
Paris Motor Show - Jaguar founder Sir William Lyons' stated vision was to build “the closest thing we can create to something that is alive”, and that's still true of Jaguar cars today.
The four-door XE, officially launched to the public today at Les Halles - and with which Jaguar hopes to redefine the compact sports sedan - is a case in point.
Built on the only bodyshell in its class that is more than 75 percent aluminium, the XE has rear-wheel drive (that's a given), double-wishbone front and integral-link rear suspension, a long 2835mm wheelbase and a low seating position for dynamic handling and leech-like road-holding.
Replacing spot-welds with a combination of self-piercing rivets and structural adhesives - a technique proven in aircraft production - made it possible to join two different metals, which is almost impossible with welding.
Powered by the 250kW/450Nm supercharged three-litre petrol V6 from the F-Type, the XE S sprints off the line to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds.
Four ‘blown’ four-cylinder variants complete the XE line-up - two with a two-litre turbopetrol tuned for either 177kW/340Nm or 147kW/280Nm, followed by two versions of the same long-stroke Ingenium two-litre turbodiesel, the first mapped for 132kW and 430Nm, the second for 120kW and 380Nm.
Each has an eight-speed ZF auto transmission; the diesels are also available with a six-speed manual 'box.
RUNNING GEAR
The XE is also the first Jaguar with electric power steering; up to now even the best electric systems haven't been able to match the feel and feedback of hydraulic power steering, but the Jaguar whitecoats have optimised the hardware to reduce backlash and friction, and re-written the software that controls assistance and damping - which varies subtly with the rate of change - and even compensates for ambient temperature and changes in road camber.
Lightweight sliding callipers and big, internally ventilated discs - up to 350mm in diameter - are cooled by ducts mounted on the suspension, which channel air to the centre of the discs through holes in the backplate.
The ABS system is also used for torque vectoring by braking (first seen on the F-Type and now standard on the XE) which reduces understeer by lightly (and individually) braking the inside front and rear wheels to keep the car on the perfect line through the corner, hardly noticeable by the driver.
Standard driver aids include all-surface progress control, a traction control system developed by sister company Land Rover - which knows a thing or two about driving on poor surfaces. There's a stereo camera behind the front windscreen to give the XE a three-dimensional view of the road ahead for functions including autonomous emergency braking and a lane departure warning system.
Laser projection enables the optional head-up display to generate sharp, high-contrast colour graphics that are clear even in direct sunlight, while Jaguar's new InControl infotainment system with its 200mm touchscreen brings fast, intuitive access to all features and functions, as well as iOS and Android smartphone apps.
FIVE TRIM LEVELS
PURE: The entry-level to the XE range, with fabric upholstery and gloss black trim.
R-SPORT: A subtle rear spoiler and sports suspension, matched by leather upholstery with special mesh fabric inserts and etched aluminium trim.
S: Seriously sporty V6 power, deeper front bumper with enlarged air intakes, sill extensions, rear spoiler, gloss black rear valance, red brake callipers and optional forged, 20” alloys, leather seats with suede cloth panels and dark hex aluminium trim elements.
PRESTIGE: Leather upholstery with perforated inserts and contrast stitching, phosphor blue ambient lighting and brushed aluminium trim.
PORTFOLIO: Premium leather with herringbone perforations in a wide range of colours, two-tone instrument-panel trim with colour-keyed twin-needle stitching and aluminium trim with an embossed surface finish.
Expect to see the Jaguar XE in South Africa during 2015.