Jaguar XE launch tonight

[developer]

I always thought the X type was a huge missed opportunity to deliver a 3 series sized, 4 wheel drive Jaguar - a great shame really.

The XE is launched tonight and the published information so far is impressive.

Looking forward to it .

(though I still wish the brand was UK owned)

 

[blue gnome123]

Yep big launch for JLR. Could be their volume moment.

They are hitting the launches hard at the moment. The Discovery Sport (aka Freelander) is out soon, then a little later the new XF and the new Disco.

 

[mbenz1]

The XE has turned out to be a great car. Well done to the guys at Jaguar

 

[lordlee]

Its very much like the XF - I was hoping for something more engaging design wise. Still its good to see them launching a genuine alternative to the 3 series and C-class.

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Looks like an Audi A4...?!?

 

[KillerHERTZ]

 

[C36fan]

Looks like an Audi A4...?!?

yes but it was shrink !

 

[abecketts]

That looks rather good

 

[grober]

Better have a piccy I guess . Electric power steering-- launch engines 4 cylinder diesel --- 4 cylinder petrol details to be announced V6 Petrols to follow Sophisticated suspension majoring in handling and comfort Key to success might be to create a new niche. How about a smooth riding car with touches of decent traditional trim and some nice petrol engines? That way you don't have to be in direct competition with the Audi/BMW/Mercedes saloons of this world. Some of the most successful vehicles in recent times sold because they created a market for themselves that didn't exist before--- e.g. Cross Over Nissan Quashqai Retro Chic BMW Mini
If the XE turns out to be yet another "variation on a theme/volume clone" of the AUDI/BMW/ Mercedes "aspirational executive saloon" then it again runs the risk of being as successful as its predecessor the X type. Time will tell if its different enough to succeed ??

 

[developer]

I like the front and the bonnet swage.

If it's to the XF what the A1 is to the A3 then I think it will look very impressive - smaller, but perfectly formed.

 

[swannymere]

Very disappointed with the design, very unadventurous. Equivalent of a Honda Accord, although i guess that's the market they're going for?

 

[kth286]

Very disappointed with the design, very unadventurous. Equivalent of a Honda Accord, although i guess that's the market they're going for?

the shape gives it the low cd factor they wanted to achieve.

 

[Charles Morgan]

It looks fine to me, a much better resolved front than the original XF, lovely convex sides rather than horrible flutes, but I don't get the transition to a concave, hofmeister kinked BMW original 1 series style rear (why can't Jaguar do rears?).

Dynamics will count, the X type was fine dynamically but it's shrunken XJ looks never worked and it just became a default old man's car.

Best of luck to them!

 

[blue gnome123]

I think it looks good. Most cars are becoming somewhat generic given the safety demands for crash structures and packaging.

Interesting they have gone RWD too.

Personally I think that they will sell very well.

 

[Giantvanman]

Apologies to all that like it but to me it is just another bland looking car with elements of many other bland offerings. I remember reading an article years ago when CAD was in its infancy and a designer was saying that cars would end up looking the same because of it and the pursuit of aerodynamic efficiency. The end result would be would a reliance on minor details to differentiate one make from another. How right he was. JMO.

 

[mbenz1]

After seeing some more pictures, this x-type has hit the spot IMHO. I think it even looks better than the XF on the outside. Atleast the designers at Jaguar had some sense and didn't just make a shortened XJ, like MB did with the W205 on the exterior...really dissapointing from MB.

Since Jaguar has won a JD Power award 3 times in a row now (I couldn't believe this at first), the XE has a really good potential to come up and compete with the germans. Auto Express have stated that the price will be around £27,000 for the XE, which is expensiver than the 3 and the A4 and almost the same price as the C, so I think Jaguar have really thought about this car inside out.

 

[C240Sport97]

looks like an audi a4...?!?

+1

 

[camerafodder]

Apologies to all that like it but to me it is just another bland looking car with elements of many other bland offerings. I remember reading an article years ago when CAD was in its infancy and a designer was saying that cars would end up looking the same because of it and the pursuit of aerodynamic efficiency. The end result would be would a reliance on minor details to differentiate one make from another. How right he was. JMO.

My late father always used to say 'a wind tunnel knows no loyalties'

 

[DSB SL AMG]

The X-Type was a good car IMHO, slightly biased as I was involved in the launch, it was just over priced...like the F-Type JLR seem to focus on maximum profits instead of sales volume... it will be interesting to see if they have learned any lessons from the X-Type with this launch...

This segment is really hard to win...I must admit £27k for a base model does sound expensive again against the German competition (considering XF start at £30k), however they are in a new successful place so we will see, and competition is good for all....British built so good luck I say

 

[blue gnome123]

Well give how many these will be company cars the 99kg/km of the diesel will be more important than the outright price for BIK users.

It's also interesting to hear that due to the complex build that industry experts reckon that JLR will lose money on the £27K models.

However at 1400kg (estimated) that's light for this sort of modern car.