Jaguar: Gentle renewal of the middle class
FIRST IMPRESSION Jaguar is doing what many do. The soft refresh of the mid-size XE, which aims to take on the BMW three-door and Mercedes C-Class, makes the four-door visually wider. One is reminded of times when a "four-eye face" seemed to be the measure of all things. LED technology now makes it possible for the lights on the [...]
One remembers times when a "four-eye face" seemed to be the measure of all things. LED technology now makes it possible for the lights at the front to shrink to miniature sizes, even on Jaguar, and slim slits adorn the front and emphasize the horizontal.
Grip-friendly plastic cladding
But a lot has changed in the interior in particular. With high-quality materials and easy-to-grip plastic trim, the new interior is not only visually appealing. In keeping with the times, the number of information displays has increased; the touch-sensitive screens deliver razor-sharp images and make the XE much easier to operate.
The control of the obligatory eight-speed automatic has become simpler, albeit more conventional. The rotary knob that slowly rose from the center console after the engine was started is a thing of the past. It is replaced by a conventional joystick that speeds up operation.
Rear view camera coupled rear view mirror
The XE doesn't hold back on the assistants either. A new feature is the rear-view mirror coupled with a rear-view camera, which not only shows the traffic situation in the rear when backing up but also when driving forward. A lane departure warning system, parking assist, electrically adjustable front seats and the aforementioned full-LED headlights are also standard.
Diesel and gasoline engine in the program
Jaguar has streamlined the XE's engine lineup. The diesel with 163 hp has been dropped; buyers' reluctance to buy the diesel is the reason for this, and its engine output was probably also too close to the more powerful 180 hp powerplant. The two gasoline engines available reach a top speed limited at 250 km/h.
The XE starts in Switzerland as the D180 at 49,900 Swiss francs with significantly more standard equipment. The market launch is planned for the end of June.
