The long-awaited Jaguar XE will finally make its world debut in London on September 8. Jaguar says that its new BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class fighter (absent in the segment since the X-Type) will bring levels of innovation never seen before in the class – from lightweight construction and sophisticated chassis tech to the new Ingenium engines – all designed, engineered and made in the UK.
“Jaguars have always been renowned for a balance of precise handling and a high-quality ride. The XE is the culmination of everything the company has learned over the years. The Integral Link rear suspension provides a combination of supple ride and crisp handling that is unmatched in this segment. We are on target to deliver a vehicle that dynamically outperforms our rivals,” said Mike Cross, chief engineer of vehicle integrity at Jaguar.
Built around an all-new, aluminium-intensive architecture, the XE rides on Jag’s new “Integral Link” rear suspension, which is claimed to deliver major benefits over conventional multi-link designs. By providing lateral and longitudinal stiffness, IL delivers sharp response and handling while retaining a refined, luxurious ride. Many components have been forged or hollow-cast in aluminium.
The front suspension is based on the F-Type‘s. Mounted to a subframe with cast aluminium suspension towers, the XE’s double-wishbone front suspension includes some key components designed to deliver Jaguar XFR-levels of stiffness. These ensure agility and a ‘connected’ steering feel. Like the rear suspension, many parts are made from cast and forged aluminium and some are produced using a patented process.
The XE will be the first Jag to be equipped with the latest gen Electric Power Assisted Steering. Coventry’s latest software algorithms now allow much greater scope for tuning than hydraulic-based systems and deliver better quality steering feel, it is claimed. Other benefits include variable steering damping, ease of low-speed manoeuvring and the ability to adapt to Jaguar Drive Control settings. EPAS also enables a range of active safety and driver aid features.
Even with the best traction control, rear-wheel drive cars can struggle to pull away from rest on very slippery surfaces. For that reason, Jaguar has developed All Surface Progress Control. Developed with the input of Jaguar Land Rover experience in off-road traction systems, ASPC can electronically gain traction with far less drama than a human driver can achieve.
The system works like a low-speed cruise control to deliver optimum traction in the most slippery conditions without skidding and without the driver using the pedals. A class first, Jaguar says.
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This could be the 3 Series’ closest rival yet.
Proton Inspira better than this Jaguar. My son Ah Beng and me support Proton and believe Proton is the nestest company in the world!
..in other words, BMW 3 series will finally met its match, buku bertemu ruas.
after more than a decade of continuous reporting by Autocar UK (their favourite cover story : NEW BABY JAG!) its finally here….no more rebadged mondeo