After an irresistible invitation to test drive this new feline Jaguar in Spain, Geraldine Herbert reviews the model for Club members to share.
What is it?
Designed to muscle in on the lucrative prestige market dominated by its key German rivals this is without doubt the most important car Jaguar have ever built . With over two billion invested the XE is designed to transform Jaguar from a niche manufacturer into a major player.
First impressions of the new Jaguar XE?
With long, athletic yet smooth lines and honeycomb grille, nodding to the badge’s halcyon days, Jaguar’s new XE is a strikingly good looking car. But the real beauty of this newcomer is underneath this svelte exterior.
The XE is a completely new car, with 75% of the body and chassis crafted from aluminium, making it light and unique in its class.
What about the interior?
The cabin is classy and the front bucket seats are beautifully supportive. The dashboard is laid out logically, interior trim materials all ooze quality, and the attention to detail is better than ever.
The driving experience
Where the XE really shines, however, is behind the wheel. Flick the switch to dynamic mode and let the supercharged V6 S unleash the full 340bhp and 450Nm of torque.
On a racetrack in Navarra it proved exhilarating with a razor sharpness.
Even more impressively on the road the diesel is almost as good to drive. It sticks to the road really well and is soothingly quiet inside. The manual gearbox works like a dream but if you prefer, there is also an eight speed automatic option.
ENGINE/TRIM LEVEL/ON THE ROAD PRICE
Pricing for the range starts at £29,775 reaching £44,865 for the 3.0i S/C 340PS.
2.0d 163PS
SE £29,775.00
Prestige £30,775.00
R-Sport £32,325.00
Portfolio £32,975.00
SE Auto £31,525.00
Prestige Auto £32,525.00
R-Sport Auto £34,075.00
Portfolio Auto £34,725.00
2.0d 180PS
SE £30,275.00
Prestige £31,275.00
R-Sport £33,025.00
Portfolio £33,675.00
SE Auto £32,025.00
Prestige Auto £33,025.00
R-Sport Auto £34,775.00
Portfolio Auto £35,425.00
2.0i 200PS
SE Auto £26,990.00
Prestige Auto £27,990.00
R-Sport Auto £29,740.00
2.0i 240PS
R-Sport Auto £33,090.00
Portfolio Auto £33,740.00
3.0i S/C 340PS
S £44,865.00
Economic and environmental efficiencies
The XE uses Jaguar’s Ingenium diesel engine, a newly-developed unit designed to power Jaguars and Land Rovers into the future.
In its most-efficient form the 2.0-litre diesel XE (163bhp) claims 99g/km of CO2 and 75 mpg (3.8 litres per 100) combined. The 180bhp verson emits 109g/km, returns 67.3 mpg )4.2 litres) while the most efficient petrol version delivers 200bhp and 37.7 mpg (7.5 litres per 100) combined.
But if efficiency is not your main concern the one to opt for is the special order supercharged 3-litre V6 340bhp.
How safe?
There is a huge range of safety equipment to safely cocoon you. Apart from the reassuringly strong aluminium body shell, there is also electronic traction and stability control, six airbags and ISOFIX child-seat mounts in the rear.
What about my options?
Our test car was fitted with Jaguar’s Adaptive suspension that blends body control and comfort perfectly. There are two other suspension set ups to choose from Comfort and Sport but the optional and more expensive Adaptive system is money well spent.
3 words to describe the Jaguar XE: Powerful; Polished; Prudent
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This is a Car Review for women written by wheelsforwomen.co.uk; a website offering honest, informative and jargon-free car reviews, news and features. Even better, all reviews are written by women for women.
