The all-new Jaguar XE S (250kW/332Nm) has been revealed ahead of the full range being unveiled at the 2014 Paris Motor Show in October.

GOING ON-SALE in 2015 and being revealed in full at the 2014 Paris Motor Show, Jaguar last night gave us all a first glimpse at the new Jaguar XE, showcasing the top-of-the-range S model at an event at Earls Court, London.

Jaguar is describing its BMW 3 Series fighter as, “A true driver’s car, the rear-drive Jaguar XE redefines the concept of the sports saloon thanks to its advanced lightweight construction, streamlined styling, luxurious interior, and outstanding ride and handling”.

Full details for the new Jaguar XE will be revealed at the Paris Motor Show, including pricing, although Jaguar has suggested an indicative pricing for the new XE, starting, in the UK, from £27,000 (that directly converts to $46,000, but you could reasonably assume Australian pricing to be closer to $50k) – we’ve reached out to Jaguar Australia and will update this article with their response.

While the release of the Jaguar XE sees the debut of Jaguar’s new range of four- and six-cylinder petrol and diesel (at launch only the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel will be from the much-hyped Ingenium range of engines) all-aluminium engines, the XE S gets a 3.0-litre supercharged V6 (borrowed from the F-Type) which produces 250kW (at 6500rpm) and 332Nm of torque (at 4500rpm). This engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel mounted paddle shifts. The XE S is able to get from 0-96km/h in just 4.9 seconds.

The first Ingenium engines (these will also be added to the Discovery Sport range) to come off the line will be 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesels. Clean combustion, variable exhaust valve timing and sophisticated exhaust gas after treatment ensure Euro 6 compliance and take the XE’s CO2 emissions as low as 99g/km. More powerful versions will be available too. Ingenium diesels will be available with a six-speed manual – low viscosity oil and pseudo dry-sump lubrication cut parasitic losses.

“Ingenium is a new family of compact, lightweight, low-friction, low-emissions engines that will deliver both the efficiency and performance that our global customers desire. Ingenium will make the new XE the most fuel efficient Jaguar ever – and the greenest,” said Ron Lee, Jaguar Land Rover Group Chief Engineer, Powertrain.

The 2.0-litre turbocharged direct injection petrol engines are powerful and refined and generate strong torque from low speeds, ensuring excellent launch performance and mid-range response. Two ratings will be available in the XE, and both will be offered with a lighter version of the ZF 8HP automatic used in the rest of the Jaguar range.

The Jaguar XE marks the debut of Jaguar’s new modular vehicle architecture, allowing it to adapt the vehicle’s platform for other applications. It’s also the most aluminium intensive vehicle the brand has ever produced – It is the first model designed around Jaguar’s all-new modular architecture and is the only car in the class to use an aluminium-intensive monocoque.

According to Jaguar, much of the aluminium used is high-strength, and the flanks of the XE are a perfect example; they’re formed in one piece and what would once have been 1.5mm gauge sheet has been reduced to just 1.1mm – “with no loss of stiffness” says Jaguar.

What’s more, the XE is the first car in the world to use RC 5754 – an aluminium alloy made predominantly from recycled material – The XE also contains 46kg of recycled plastics and renewable materials, reducing its environmental impact still further. Future models will also use RC 5754 and this breakthrough will help Jaguar towards its goal of using 75% recycled material by 2020.

“The XE is as strong and light as it could possibly be thanks to exhaustive analysis and by bringing the latest engineering techniques to bear on its design. It has been challenging to accomplish but the XE’s structure is absolutely at the cutting edge of what is achievable today,” said Dr Mark White, Jaguar’s Chief Technical Specialist; Body Complete.

The all-new Jaguar XE debuts a number of firsts for the brand, not the least of which is electric power steering and a front and rear suspension set-up normally seen on larger premium cars.

“The introduction of electric power steering was a big step but one we were able to take confidently. The almost infinite range of possibilities it provides in fine tuning has enabled us to achieve the responsive, connected steering feel we require in a Jaguar – without compromise,” said Mike Cross, Chief Engineer, Vehicle Integrity, Jaguar.

Jaguar claims the new XE will set the benchmark for ride and handling running what it calls “the most sophisticated chassis of any vehicle in its class”.
Doing away with the conventional MacPherson strut front suspension, the XE instead runs a double wishbone set-up (adapted from the F-Type) while the rear features an Integral Link design.

In addition to a lighter, stiffer chassis, the Jaguar XE debuts the brand’s latest development in traction control systems. Developed with the assistance of Land Rover engineers, Jaguar claims it “works like a low-speed cruise control. ASPC functions between 3.6km/h and 30km/h: by precisely controlling the brake system and the powertrain it delivers optimum traction in the most slippery conditions without skidding and without the driver using the pedals”.

The XE also gets laser head-up display technology allowing the projection of information such as speed and navigation instructions – the laser HUD is smaller and almost a third lighter than existing systems. The XE also employs stereo camera technology which act as the ‘eyes’ of the autonomous emergency braking system, “providing highly accurate measurements of speed and distance of objects ahead, and can initiate full braking to avoid or mitigate a collision”.

The stereo camera is also smart enough to perform traffic sign recognition and lane departure warning functions too. The XE also offers systems such as adaptive cruise control, closing vehicle sensing, blind spot monitoring, semi-automated parallel and bay parking, and reverse traffic detection.

In terms of design, Jaguar’s Director of Design, Ian Callum, said: “Our mission was to create an exciting and dynamic design clearly reflecting the XE’s positioning as a serious driver’s car. The cab-rearward proportions and tight packaging achieve that and give the XE the appearance of movement even when it’s standing still. It bears a strong family resemblance to the F-TYPE and will stand apart in the crowd.”

Because the Jaguar XE was developed in parallel with the new modular vehicle architecture, Jaguar says it was able to explore design options that didn’t exist to it before, because both the design and engineering teams worked together from the start.

“This makes it possible to realise perfect proportions: short front overhang, longer rear overhang and dynamic, cab-rearward stance. The architecture also enables the XE to feature both a low, sporty driving position and a sleek, coupe-like profile,” Jaguar said.

You can make up your own mind about the look of the new XE, but here’s how Jaguar’s press guff describes it: “The strongly-sculpted bonnet creates a taut, muscular appearance. The rising waistline adds to the sense of movement, while the form of the rear quarters takes inspiration from the F-TYPE Coupé. The signature J-Blade running lights are another instantly recognisable Jaguar design element. In the rear lights, a horizontal line intersecting a roundel is a powerful styling feature inherited from the iconic E-type.”

On the inside, passengers, according to Jaguar, receive a “spacious cabin” that cocoons front-seat passengers with a “deep centre console which creates a cockpit-like feel”. On start-up the F-Type inspired instrument dials and the cluster needle sweep to “emphasise the XE’s sports saloon attributes”. Okay.

While Jaguar hasn’t released dimensions yet, it claims the XE promises “generous amounts of head and legroom” for rear-seat passengers. Buyers can choose from a range of technical fabrics, fine-grain leathers and details such as contrasting twin-needle stitching. The choice of gloss black, textured aluminium, and contemporary wood veneers “enhance the luxurious, hand-crafted feel”.

The Jaguar XE features the brand’s new InControl infotainment system that offers enhanced smartphone integration. Indeed, the XE will be able to function as a Wi-Fi hotspot, allowing multiple devices to connect to the internet simultaneously. The InControl system features an SD card based navigation system and supports Bluetooth, audio streaming and USB connectivity.

More than that, Jaguar InControl Remote functionality allows users of iOS and Android smartphones to connect to the car from wherever they are and control a range of vehicle functions. These include seven-day timed pre-setting of the XE’s climate control system, locking or unlocking the doors, or starting the engine. Jaguar InControl Apps allows users to seamlessly access smartphone apps through the vehicle’s eight-inch touchscreen.

The aluminium-intensive Jaguar XE is manufactured at Jaguar Land Rover’s Solihull plant in an all-new purpose-built facility. Part of a £1.5bn investment, this highly flexible, state-of-the-art manufacturing site will create 1700 UK jobs.

The XE completes the Jaguar sedan car range sitting below the XF and XJ models. Full details of the entire range will be revealed at the 2014 Paris Motor Show in October.