Jaguar partially reveals production XE sedan

JAGUAR has taken to social media to reveal the first image of its vitally-important XE mid-sized sedan ahead of its world premiere at the Paris motor show in October and launch during 2015.

The teaser image shows the vehicle’s profile for the first time beneath relatively light cladding, revealing a clear family resemblance to the larger XF. The elaborate design on the body covering is a photo-realistic image of what lies beneath the car’s skin.

As reported, Jaguar’s long-awaited rival for the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class will sit on an all-new aluminium platform and marks the debut of the company’s new range of British-built ‘Ingenium’ high-output turbo-petrol and diesel engines.

In the XE, these will be in 2.0-litre four-cylinder guise for both petrol and oil-burning variants. Jaguar says the British-built Ingenium family offers the flexibility to introduce models that can reach a top speed of more than 300km/h as well as others that emit less than 100g/km of CO2.

Also confirmed is the F-Type’s screaming 3.0-litre supercharged V6 developing either 250kW/450Nm or 280kW/460Nm, giving Jaguar a rival for the BMW M3, Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG and Audi S4/RS4.

The XE is based on an all-new rear and all-wheel-drive architecture.

Once the XE is launched, Jaguar plans to spin-off an SUV derivative previewed in Frankfurt last September as the C-X17, giving it a rival for the BMW X3 and Audi Q5.

It is also billed as the first aluminium monocoque vehicle in the mid-size premium C/D segment. Jaguar and sister brand Land Rover are world leaders in the use of the lightweight material.

The XE marks Jaguar’s return to the mid-sized premium segment after it axed the Ford-based X-Type in 2009. returning to this big-volume segment will be crucial to the growth plans of its Indian owner Tata.

The XE is expected to launch in Australia during 2015, priced at entry between $50,000 and $60,000.