JAGUAR XE S

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. The XE goes on sale in 2015, with the high-performance S model at the top of the range.

The XE S rewards drivers with the responsiveness and refinement of its supercharged 3.0-litre V6. Generating 340PS and 450Nm of torque, this high-revving engine is linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shift controls, giving the driver immediate access to the vehicle's incredible reserves of power. Accelerating to 0-60mph in just 4.9 seconds, the XE S has an electronically-limited maximum speed of 155mph.

"Jaguar's position as the leading premium manufacturer of aluminium vehicles allowed us to develop a light, stiff body structure that is ground-breaking in its class. It enables the XE's advanced chassis technologies to deliver an unprecedented balance of agility and levels of refinement previously found only in vehicles from the segments above." Kevin Stride, Vehicle Line Director, Jaguar XE

The aluminium-intensive Jaguar XE is the first model developed from Jaguar Land Rover's new modular vehicle architecture and will set the standard for driving dynamics in the midsize segment. The long wheelbase and low seating position enable perfect proportions and a streamlined, coupe-like profile.

The S model's large front air intakes, chrome side vents, discreet rear spoiler and optional 20-inch forged alloy wheels hint at the performance potential of Jaguar's supercharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine.

The cabin offers outstanding levels of comfort and spaciousness. Exquisite materials and finishes, combined with traditional Jaguar craftsmanship make this an interior like nothing else in the class.

The XE S will be joined by other models powered by highly efficient 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines matched to smooth-shifting six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic transmissions. The diesels - part of Jaguar's all-new Ingenium engine family - provide exemplary fuel consumption and CO2 emissions from 75mpg and 99g/km.

The XE is also the lightest, stiffest and most aerodynamic Jaguar saloon ever built. It is also the first Jaguar to be equipped with electric power steering, tuned to provide exceptional responsiveness and feel but with lower energy consumption than hydraulic systems. The XE boasts the lowest cost of ownership of any Jaguar and is also the most environmentally sustainable.

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 1,700 UK jobs.

The XE now completes the Jaguar saloon car range sitting below the XF and XJ models.

Compelling design: Form and function without compromise

The Jaguar XE was developed in parallel with the new modular architecture. The architecture unlocks design possibilities that did not exist before because the core dimensions were determined by design and engineering working together from the very beginning, under a philosophy of 'anything we can imagine, we can create.'

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

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.

Jaguar has a rich history of producing stunning, aerodynamically-efficient cars. The new XE continues the tradition of uncompromised form and function: its streamlined shape has the lowest drag coefficient of any Jaguar yet - just 0.26. This achievement is the result of 1,200 computational fluid dynamics simulations and more than eight million hours of processor time.

"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." Ian Callum, Jaguar Director of Design

Expectations created by the XE's exterior styling are more than met once inside. The spacious cabin cocoons front seat passengers with a deep centre console which creates a cockpit-like feel. The F-Type-style dials and the cluster needle sweep on start-up further emphasise the XE's sports saloon attributes.

Front and rear seat occupants enjoy generous amounts of head and legroom - the XE proves that sleek, streamlined styling and interior space need not be mutually exclusive. Technical fabrics, fine-grain leathers and details such as contrasting twin-needle stitching give the cabin a bespoke quality. The choice of gloss black, textured aluminium, and contemporary wood veneers enhance the luxurious, hand-crafted feel. Ambient lighting in a range of up to 10 colours adds to the sense of occasion.

Aluminium-intensive monocoque: Light, stiff, safe

Jaguar is more experienced in the use of aluminium construction than any other vehicle manufacturer. The unrivalled expertise in working with this lightweight material has culminated in the revolutionary body structure of the new XE. 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.

Much of the aluminium is high-strength, 6000-series alloy. The bodysides are a perfect example: these complex pressings are 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.

The new XE has been engineered to meet the most stringent legislative and consumer crash test requirements worldwide, including US and Euro NCAP. The deployable aluminium bonnet ensures high levels of pedestrian impact protection.

Sustainability is a big part of Jaguar's aluminium story. Recycling this highly valuable material delivers impressive savings in overall CO2 emissions and the new XE is the first car in the world to use RC 5754 - an aluminium alloy made predominantly from recycled material. Future models will also use RC 5754 and this breakthrough will help Jaguar towards its goal of using 75 per cent 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." Dr Mark White, Jaguar's Chief Technical Specialist; Body Complete

Chassis: Agile, responsive, supple

The new XE has the most sophisticated chassis of any vehicle in its class and will set the benchmarks for ride and handling: it is a true driver's car. Where most competitors use MacPherson strut front suspension, Jaguar's vehicle dynamics team insisted on the superior double wishbone configuration. The aluminium front knuckles are as light as they are stiff and are forged from cast blanks using a patented production process.

Conventional multilink rear suspension couldn't deliver Jaguar's dynamics targets. The solution was Integral Link: a system usually found only in larger, more expensive vehicles and which delivers the ideal lateral and longitudinal stiffness values needed for the XE's precise handling and supple ride. Aluminium has been used extensively, minimising weight.

Electric power steering (EPAS) offers incredible tuning potential and greater energy efficiency than traditional hydraulic systems but Jaguar's engineers have not considered the technology sufficiently mature - until now.

Prototype development using larger vehicles convinced the dynamics team that the best EPAS technology could now deliver the advantages of fuel consumption reduction without any loss of feedback through the steering wheel. The XE is the first Jaguar to use EPAS. As well as reducing CO2 emissions by up to three per cent, the system offers the performance that Jaguar's engineers demanded.

"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." Mike Cross, Chief Engineer, Vehicle Integrity, Jaguar.