Iconic new Jaguar XE pounces into SSA market
With thej new Jaguar XE launched into the sub-Sahara African market this Cape Town, South Africa this week, a fresh chapter has been opened in the annals of the celebrated British automaker. It also marked Jaguar’s return to the hotly contested sports saloon segment; a segment that the brand created over 50 years ago with iconic models like the Mark II, the stage is now set for renewed competition among competing luxury brands.
The four day event witnessed the gathering of over 10 motoring journalists from other African countries including BusinessDay Nigeria, Mauritius, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia etc in Cape Town, South Africa for the sub-Sahara Africa launch and more than 200 kilometer distance test drive of some of the all-new Jaguar XE offered in different engine specifications.
The day long road involved a formal press reveal of the luxury car and business sessions after which the automobile journalists hopped into the vehicles for the all day test-drives criss-crossing the beautiful landscape and lush green vegetation of one of the flourishing business capital of South Africa.
With its aluminium-intensive architecture and Integral Link rear suspension, the XE will be a true driver’s car; one that will set a new benchmark among its competitors. Built using lightweight technologies, and using a range of efficient and powerful Jaguar engines, the XE combines thrilling performance, agile handling and precise, responsive steering, with outstanding levels of refinement.
On the road, 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.”
Unique to this segment, the integral link suspension delivers major benefits over conventional multi-link designs. By providing lateral and longitudinal stiffness, the integral link delivers sharp response and handling while retaining a refined, luxurious ride. Many components of the suspension have been forged or hollow-cast in aluminium.
These are the optimum production techniques to produce a strong, lightweight solution. Mounted to a sub-frame with cast aluminium suspension towers, the XE’s double wishbone front suspension delivers the highest levels of handling and road holding.
Jaguar XE’s advanced design is based on Jaguar’s flagship F-TYPE sportscar and includes some key components designed to deliver Jaguar XFR-levels of stiffness. These ensure the XE enjoys a similar level of agility and ‘connected’ steering feel.
Like the rear suspension, many components are made from cast and forged aluminium and some are produced using a patented process. With its class-leading steering feel, Jaguar is renowned for its steering feel and this will now move to the next level, as the XE is equipped with Jaguar’s latest generation Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS).
The latest software algorithms allow much greater scope for tuning than hydraulic-based systems and deliver better-quality steering feel. 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 Developed with the input of decades 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. Out there in the regional w markets where they are sold, The XE will be a true sports saloon with class-leading dynamics, refinement and technology. Precise handling and high-quality ride is assured with Integral link rear suspension; a layout designed for optimum performance, comfort and control.
The finely-honed F-TYPE-derived front suspension delivers accurate and immediate response. While the state-of-the-art electric power steering system help deliver renowned Jaguar feel and response, the world-first all surface progress control system ensures rear-wheel drive traction from stand still even in extreme conditions.
MIKE OCHONMA