Fresh-faced Jaguar XE range reduced to two

BY SPENCER LEECH | 27th Feb 2019

AS PART of a mid-life update, Jaguar Australia has consolidated its XE four-door sedan range from 15 variants to just two – the $65,670 before on-road costs R-Dynamic SE and$71,940 R-Dynamic HSE.

As a result, the XE’s powertrain variety has also been trimmed to just a single 221kW/400Nm 2.0-litre Ingenium petrol engine shared with the Range Rover Velar.

Equipped exclusively with an eight-speed automatic transmission, Jaguar claims the XE will sprint from zero to 100km/h in 5.9 seconds.

The decision to reduce the XE’s line-up comes soon after JLR announced its plan to save $A4.5bn in 18 months by reducing its investments, costs and inventory.

Available to order now, the updated XE features fresh styling inspired by the F-Type sibling, with a wider and lower stance, larger front apertures, new LED head- and tail-lights, dark mesh detailing, and new wheel styles.

On the inside, a new interior design hosts sports seats with contrast stitching, satin chrome shift paddles, R-Dynamic scuff plates and a steering wheel borrowed from the I-Pace electric vehicle.

Also adopted from the I-Pace is Jaguar’s Touch Pro Duo infotainment system (HSE only), with two integrated touchscreen displays which are compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and features DAB+ radio as standard.

The R-Dynamic SE comes with 18-inch wheels, electric leather seats, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, and lane keep assist.

Stepping up the HSE affords customers 19-inch alloys, blind spot alert, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), 18-way adjustable front seats with driver-side memory, an electrically adjustable steering column and a Meridian sound system.

Jaguar also offers five option packs including the Dynamics Handling Pack which improves responsiveness, dynamics adjustability and brake performance.

The Cold Climate Pack adds a heated windscreen and steering wheel as well as headlight washers.

A Technology Pack gives the XE a head-up display, solar windscreen, Touch Pro Duo infotainment, interactive cluster, wireless charging and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

The Convenience Pack consists of a gesture bootlid, keyless entry, electric steering column adjustment and additional power sockets, while the Premium Interior Upgrade Pack adds illuminated scuff plates, bright coloured pedals and configurable ambient lighting.

In its first year on sale, the E-Pace medium SUV was Jaguar’s best seller in 2018 with 973 units registered.

However, the rest of the range recorded a loss, including the XE sedan which managed 524 sales for a 33.8 per cent decline year-to-year.

2019 Jaguar XE pricing*