The Jaguar XE is already on sale in Europe, but won’t make the trip across the pond until next year. That may be a long way away, but we’ve already got some important details about U.S.-market versions of the car.
Jaguar has already nailed down which powertrains will be offered in the U.S., along with other specifications.
As it turns out, we’ll get two powertrain options that seem to be on opposite ends of the spectrum.
The first is a 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine that comes with the XE 20d trim level. It’s from Jaguar’s new Ingenium line of efficient four-bangers, and produces 180 horsepower and 318 pound-feet of torque.
Jaguar expects the diesel to do 0 to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 140 mph, but importantly it also expects the XE 20d to be the most fuel efficient model it’s ever offered in the U.S.
If fuel economy doesn’t quite light your fire, there will also be an XE 35t, with the 3.0-liter supercharged V6 from the F-Type. The engine produces the same 340 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque as it does in that glorious sports car.
That allows the XE 35t to achieve 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, and an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph.
All XE models use a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard with either engine, while all-wheel drive is optional.
Limiting offerings to the super-efficient diesel and the sporty supercharged V6 doesn’t leave much middle ground, although these specialized engines will at least help the XE stand out in a crowded segment.
Jaguar may fill out the lineup sometime after launch with more mundane engines, like a gasoline version of the 2.0-liter Ingenium four-cylinder.
Beyond the engine bay, the XE will get Jaguar’s latest InControl infotainment system, built around an eight-inch capacitive touchscreen. An SD card-based navigation system will also be available, with pinch-to-zoom maps.
The XE will probably also be the most smartphone-friendly Jag ever. It will get an InControl Apps bridge feature, as well as an InControl Remote app that allows owners to control certain vehicle functions from their phones (iOS or Android only).
Jaguar is also promising 11-speaker and 14-speaker Meridian audio systems.
Safety tech will include blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic detection, semi-automated parking, and Jaguar’s All Surface Progress Control – an advanced traction control system.
The 2017 Jaguar XE hits U.S. showrooms next spring. Pricing will be announced closer to that date.
