Jaguar XE endures litmus test in Cape Town

The sub-Sahara Africa automobile market came alive last week following the media launch and test drive of the all-new Jaguar XE in Cape Town, described by many industry watchers as the most  aerodynamic Jaguar to date and the latest sports sedan redefined.

The two-day test drive along some of the twisty road networks and different terrains that covered not less than 300 kilometers to different parts of the city took the media team and dealer representatives from different countries of the sub-Sahara including BusinessDay Nigeria, to some beautiful land-scape awash with large expanse of farm adorning the Cape Town sets the historic city apart from the rest of other mega cities.

In terms of design and execution, the Jaguar XE redefines the concept of the sports sedan and is the driver’s car in its class. Its lightweight construction, streamlined styling, luxurious interior and outstanding ride and handling are testament to company founder Sir William Lyons’ vision: ‘The car is the closest thing we will ever create to something that is alive’.

The rear-drive XE is the only vehicle in its class to use an aluminium-intensive monocoque. This extremely robust yet light structure, together with double wishbone front suspensionand an Integral Link rear axle, is fundamental to the XE’s innovative benchmark vehicle dynamics.

Jaguar’s world-leading expertise in aluminium structure engineering enables exceptional fuel consumption and emissions figures: with a new 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel* engine the XE can achieve 4.2 litres/100km (combined) and 109g/km CO₂ – the most efficient Jaguar ever.

Powered by the supercharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine from the acclaimed Jaguar F-TYPE, the XE S is capable of 0-100km/h in just 5.1 seconds.

“The Jaguar XE has performance and handling that match its sporty, yet elegant, design,” says Lisa Mallett, Marketing and Communications Director of Jaguar Land Rover South Africa and sub-Sahara Africa. “Its emotional appeal is further enhanced through superb levels of luxury and use of state-of-the-art materials and technology.”

The aluminium-intensive Jaguar XE is the first model developed from Jaguar Land Rover’s new modular vehicle architecture. The long 2 835mm wheelbase and low seating position enable perfect proportions and a streamlined profile.

Inside, the cabin offers outstanding levels of comfort and spaciousness. Exquisite materials and finishes combined with Jaguar craftsmanship make this a class-beating interior that’s unlike anything else in the segment. Centre stage is an eight-inch touchscreen that offers drivers easy access to media and navigation features, as well information displays.

The XE has some of the most advanced driver assistance systems available. All Surface Progress Control (ASPC), developed through decades of Jaguar Land Rover experience in off-road traction systems, can electronically gain traction in seconds and is ideal for use on low-grip surfaces, such as icy roads or wet grass.

Laser projection technology enables the XE’s head-up display (HUD) to generate sharp, high-contrast colour graphics from a module smaller and almost a third lighter than existing systems, retaining clarity even in direct sunlight. The HUD can display important information to drivers at eyelevel, allowing them to keep their focus on the road.

A stereo camera is mounted behind the front windscreen to give the XE a 3D view of the road ahead: this highly accurate data is used for functions including the lane departure warning system.

In terms of stability, the XE is the stiffest, most aerodynamic Jaguar sedancar 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.

It also boasts of the lowest cost of ownership and most environmentally sustainable credentials of all Jaguar models.

Manufacturing of the aluminium-intensive Jaguar XE occurs at Jaguar Land Rover’s Solihull plant in an all-new facility. The XE completes the Jaguar sedan range, sitting below the XF and XJ model lines. The 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel engine will only become available in sub-Sahara Africa markets from March 2016.