Jaguar XE (2014): spec, information teased on Jag's baby

Jaguar has started what is sure to be a long, sustained dripfeed of information on its new XE compact exec saloon ahead of a planned debut on 8 September 2014.

Today's announcement reveals some of the engineering secrets of the Jaguar XE and is designed to whet the appetites of those premium car buyers ready for a change from their 3-series, A4s and C-classes.

The Jag XE borrows suspension from elsewhere in the family, the company confirmed today. The front axle's double wishbone set-up is based on that in the F-type roadster and coupe, while a multi-link rear suspension - dubbed Integral Link - features at the back.

Jaguar claims its electric power steering (the company's first) will reset the benchmark in the class for feeling and response. This may set off alarm bells among traditionalists, who fear dumping hydraulic assistance risks the whole feeling of driving a Jaguar.

But while many manufacturers make similar claims, we have good reason to be hopeful that Jag may just crack the e-steering problem: the XE will be the only car in its class to rely on an aluminium-intensive architecture and its larger sports saloons are renowned for steering feel.

The man responsible for making Jaguars feel the way they do, chief engineer Mike Cross, said: 'Jaguars have always been renowned for a balance of precise handling and a high-quality ride. The XE is the culmination of everything the company has learned over the years. The Integral Link rear suspension provides a combination of supple ride and crisp handling that is unmatched in this segment. We are on target to deliver a vehicle that dynamically outperforms our rivals.'

Jaguar announced last week the first details of its new Ingenium four-cylinder engines. The cleanest XE will emit less than 100g/km of CO2, thanks to the new British-built motors destined to be manufactured in Wolverhampton.

The XE will have many of its suspension components made from forged or hollow-cast aluminium in a bid to reduce unsprung mass yet keep the lateral and longitudinal stiffness essential to keep handling precision up.

This is the secret, says Jaguar, to delivering 'sharp response and handling while retaining a refined, luxurious ride.'

Also of note is Jaguar's new All Surface Progress Control, a system using electronics to act as a differential on the back wheels. It's designed to stop rear-wheel drive cars scrabbling for traction on low-grip surfaces, such as snow and ice. It's rather like Volkswagen's XDS system offered on the Golf GTI.

The XE will be unveiled to the world at an event in London on 8 September 2014.

Expect plenty of references to Jag's sporting history in the saloon market, with nods to the Mark II that the it claims invented the sports saloon sector.

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