Jaguar unveils new XE S

After months of teasing, Jaguar has finally unveiled its BMW 3 Series/Mercedes C-Class rivalling mid-sized saloon, the XE.

At an event in London’s Earl’s Court, Jaguar revealed the range-topping XE S, which completes its current line-up of saloon cars. The new XE S is also the first production Jaguar to boast the company’s innovative aluminium intensive monocoque, demonstrated last year courtesy of the company’s eye-opening C-X17 SUV concept. In doing so, the XE S becomes ‘the lightest and stiffest’ – as well as the ‘most aerodynamic’ – Jaguar ever made.

Highlighted elements of the XE’s bodywork include the short front overhang, longer rear overhang and its sloping roofline, designs that were sculpted in parallel with the new architecture’s development. The much-publicised flexibility of the aluminium compound allows a much wider scope of design, demonstrated by both the muscular look at the front and the F-TYPE Coupe-inspired rear. Each panel has been pressed from a signal piece of aluminium, and despite the thinner material being used, the stiffness of the bodywork – and thus the durability of the bodywork – has not been affected. The kerb weight for the new XE S is a surprisingly svelte 1474kg

Then it was just a matter of including some large front air intakes, chrome side vents and (optional) 20-inch alloy wheels for good measure, plus those signature J-Blade running lights.

The XE S cabin similarly draws inspiration from its sister F-TYPE coupe model, most notably around the revised centre cluster. Traditional leather upholstery makes a showing as does textured aluminium trim, whilst the XE’s 2835mm long wheelbase allows for greater legroom in the ‘cockpit-like’ cabin. Ride and handling for the sports saloon are also the hallmarks of the XE S’ new chassis. MacPherson and Multilink suspension have been chucked in favour of double wishbones and Integral Link for improved road holding. The XE S is also the first production Jaguar to include electric power steering for its improved handling and lower energy consumption over the preceding hydraulic system.

Engine options are headlined by Jaguar’s 3.0-litre supercharged V6, which produces 340hp and 332lb tf of torque, which when mated to a ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox allow the XE S to hit 100kph from standstill in just 5.1 seconds and a 250kph top speed. Jaguar has also announced a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine option for the range, further details of which will be unveiled at the upcoming Paris Motor Show.