Jaguar
is now in the latter stages of development of a small sedan that will target the likes of the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and spy shots of a prototype wearing the production version’s sheet metal has surfaced. The new car was recently confirmed to be called the XE, and it’s set to be revealed later this year before going on sale in Europe in 2015. Unfortunately, Jaguar has confirmed that the new XE won’t arrive in the U.S. until 2016.
A teaser shot released by Jaguar shows that the styling of the XE will borrow elements from the XF but also feature some sharper lines. The final design is said to be wide, low and very sporty. Don’t worry about the frumpy rear section on this prototype as most of it is added material designed to fool onlookers.
Underpinning the XE will be a brand new aluminum platform code-named iQ[Al]. The platform shares some commonality with the Premium Lightweight Architecture (PLA) found in latest Land Rover Range Rover models and was first previewed in Jaguar’s C-X17 crossover concept at the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show.
2016 Jaguar XE aluminum construction2016 Jaguar XE aluminum constructionSo far iQ[Al] has only been confirmed for the XE, but there will be at least three other models spawned from it, including the next-generation XF. Other models spawned from the iQ[Al] platform will be a production version of the C-X17 crossover, a test mule for which has already been spotted, as well as some likely derivatives of the XE such as a wagon or perhaps even a sporty coupe.
Power in the XE will come from a range of four-cylinder engines Jaguar is called the Ingenium family. The Ingenium engines will come in gasoline and diesel flavors, and are said to offer the latest innovations in fuel-saving technologies without sacrificing drivability. Jaguar has also designed its iQ[Al] platform to be able to accommodate its 3.0-liter V-6 already offered in the F-Type sports car, so expect this option too.
Rear-wheel drive will come standard, though customers will be able to opt for all-wheel drive. The standard transmission, meanwhile, should be an eight-speed automatic.
Stay tuned for updates as development of the Jaguar XE sedan continues.
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