Jaguar Has BMW M3 In Its Sights
Recently spotted in the wild, photographers in England have caught images of a high-performance Jaguar XE compact sedan suggesting the company intends to challenge the BMW M3.
Note the red brake calipers in the photo and larger wheels – both indicate a more powerful, high-performance powertrain. It’s impossible to tell what engine is under the hood. The company does have a 575-hp supercharged V-8 engine available from their lineup but the dimensions of that engine would make it difficult if not impossible to fit under the XE’s hood due to the supercharger set atop of the engine between cylinder banks. In addition, it would impact the car’s ability to meet European safety standards requiring the hood’s ability to absorb energy should a person impact it – something it would be unable to do with the lack of clearance between the V-8 engine and hood.
If the V-8 is out, what option does that leave for Jaguar to compete with BMW? On the street, we’re hearing the company is looking at a straight-six engine utilizing their four-cylinder Ingenium engines. In 2014, Jaguar LR announced the Ingenium class of motors focusing on a more flexible and modular architecture that would allow a multitude of configurations to improve performance – and production-line efficiency.
It’s a difficult design task for a brand known for sleek, sinewy cars to truncate that ethos into a compact footprint, but the smallest Jaguar carries stylish, elegant lines and a rearward design bias that makes the Jaguar look ready to pounce. You know, like a cat.
Mark Rechtin, MotorTrend
2018 Jaguar XE
| 2.0L 247HP Turbocharged 4-cylinder | |
|---|---|
| Base MSRP from | $35,725 |
| Number of seats | 5 |
| Combined (mpg) | TBD |
| Fuel Tank Capacity - usable (gallons) | 16.6 |
| ENGINES & PERFORMANCE | |
| ENGINE | |
| Capacity (cc) | 1,997 |
| Maximum Power (hp) | 247 |
| @ rpm | 5,500 |
| Maximum torque (lb-ft) | 269 lb-ft at 5,500 rpm |
| PERFORMANCE | |
| Top Speed (mph) | 155 |
| Acceleration 0-60mph (secs) | 6 |
| DIMENSIONS | |
| Front Track (in) (exact dimensions depends on wheel selected) | 63.26 |
| Rear Track (in) (exact dimensions depends on wheel selected) | 63.3 |
| Overall Height (in) | 56.1 |
| Wheelbase (in) | 111.6 |
| Overall Length (in) | 184.5 |
| Overall Width inc. mirrors (in) | 81.7 |
| Overall Width with mirrors folded in (in) | 77.4 |
| Ground Clearance fully laden (in) | 4.68 |
| Turning Circle (ft) | 36.75 |
| Trunk/Cargo Volume (cu. Ft.) | 16 |
| WEIGHT | |
| Curb Weight (from - lbs) | 3,395 |
| Gross Vehicle Weight (from - lbs) | 4,740 |
| City (mpg) | TBD |
| Highway (mpg) | TBD |
| Combined (mpg) | TBD |
| Fuel Tank Capacity - usable (gallons) | 16.6 |
Reference:
http://www.autonews.com/article/20170605/OEM04/170609901/1657
http://motortrend.com/cars/jaguar/xe/2017/2017-jaguar-xe-25t-first-test-review/
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