Give it a couple of months, the wait would have completed a whole year; the pangs of anticipation were already unbearable. That’s when the Jaguar XE addressed the media and several ecstatic customers of Al Tayer Motors from the podium of the Four Seasons Resort’s ballroom. The XE could speak volumes amidst its graceful reticence, a trait that runs in the family.
The positive note ringing at Jaguar Land Rover could be clearly heard in the words of Ashok Khanna, Chief Executive Officer, Al Tayer Motors, “…Our Sheikh Zayed Road showroom has just been declared as the world’s largest selling single facility by volume for the brand in 2014- 2015. With the launch of the game changing Jaguar XE, and the arrival of the all-new Jaguar XF later in the year, we expect this momentum to continue through the rest of the year and into 2016.”
The anticipation only made the heart beat faster as I walked up for closer look, and feel. The car has the unmistakable charm and formidability of a Jaguar, and could easily be one of the best looking cars in its segment. The car was rather compact though the brand wouldn’t risk not affording premium passengers the luxury and leg space they look for. Yet, with a tall guy stretched out in front, the rear was bound to be squeezed though the roofline loomed surprisingly high enough. The XE looked perfectly sized to be a sports saloon for the rich, underpinned by its lightweight construction, streamlined styling and luxurious interiors.
In the UAE, the Jaguar XE is driven by the familiar power of the turbocharged, direct-injection, 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. Further refined for the new Jaguar XE, the choice of output include 197hp/280Nm and 236hp/340Nm. The XE S resorts to the relatively stupendous 335hp/450 Nm of the 3.0L V6 supercharged for its exhilarating 0-100 kmph figures of 5.1 seconds, on its way to the 250 kmph max speed. Another first about this Jaguar is the electric power steering that will provide exceptional responsiveness but with lower energy consumption than hydraulic systems. Simply can’t wait for my first drive, with the outstanding ride and handling promised by Jaguar.
New JLR architecture
Jaguar XE is the first from Jaguar Land Rover to adopt the new modular vehicle architecture and the aluminium-intensive monocoque. With an unprecedented 2,835mm wheelbase, the rear-drive Jaguar XE uses a double wishbone front suspension and an Integral Link rear axle.
The Jaguar 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 snow-covered roads.
Laser projection technology promises clarity even in direct sunlight by enabling the XE’s head-up display (HUD) to generate sharp, high-contrast colour graphics for speed and navigation. The new technology of a 3D view of the road direct autonomous emergency braking and a lane departure warning system. The interiors feature the Jaguar’s new InControl Touch infotainment system with its innovative 8-inch touchscreen.
The Jaguar XE will be available at the Al Tayer Motors in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, and Premier Motors in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, with a starting price of AED 169,000. The price includes a five year/250,000kms warranty and roadside assistance as well as a five year/65,000kms service contract.
