Jaguar XE 25T

The Jaguar XE is one of the most exciting cars to be launched this year and understandably so. It is Jaguar’s first compact luxury car rivalling the likes of the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and the Mercedes C-Class. But, according to Jaguar the XE’s USP is the unparalleled driving experience it delivers compared to its competitors. And to drive home this point, Jaguar has for now only launched two powerful petrol variants of the car. Although it is the cheapest Jaguar you can buy, at Rs 46.5 lakh for this top-of-the-line Portfolio petrol trim, it isn’t exactly cheap by class standards and comes close to the bigger XF with the same spec engine.

The XE certainly has the right stuff in the looks department though. Looking very similar to the larger XF from several angles, the new XE combines perfect proportions, crisp details and fluid lines to deliver a knockout punch. As with all Jaguars, the grille forms the focal point of the design. Set low, the lines of the car then flow over the bonnet to the heavily inclined front windscreen, tight-fitting roof and compact rear section, giving the XE a sporty profile. The rear of the car also looks a lot like that of the XF, which is great, if you are a XE customer. But, whichever way you look at it, this is one of the most attractive cars in its segment.

It looks distinct on the inside too with a well-designed dashboard that seamlessly blends old-world charm with modern elements. The mix of leather, wood trim, piano black finish and brushed metal is more alluring than the industrial feel of a German car’s interior. There is a large touchscreen infotainment system which works well enough and the overall ambience and quality is really good even though the Mercedes C-Class is still better.

The XE’s seats have the trademark Jaguar levels of comfort. The front seats have fantastic support for your back and thighs and space upfront is plentiful too. This is also a practical cabin with plenty of space for water bottles and other odds and ends.

The rear isn’t so impressive. Though kneeroom is decent, it doesn’t feel as spacious as its rivals. Headroom is limited thanks to the swooping roofline, and passengers – even those with average height – will have their hairstyles messed up. The third passenger at the back is also unlikely to be very comfortable as space for the middle seat is minimal and the big transmission tunnel for the propeller shaft reduces comfort even further. The boot though is quite generous and unlike the C-Class, the spare tyre is neatly tucked away under the boot.

It comes loaded with equipment too. In the Portfolio trim, it gets a great sounding Meridian sound system, a 360 degree camera, touchscreen interface and Sunroof among many other features, all offered as standard fitment.

Let’s talk tech first and there is loads of it in this car. Seventy per cent of the chassis parts are aluminium alloy which has helped Jaguar keep the weight down. Jaguar has also used high strength materials in key areas to aid chassis rigidity. Jaguar has employed Integral link independent rear suspension that claims to offer major benefits over conventional multi-link designs by optimising both lateral and longitudinal stiffness. The double-wishbone front suspension is derived from the F-Type, and it is the first Jaguar to get electronic power steering.

The XE in the top trim is powered by the Ford sourced 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol motor. With 238bhp on tap, this motor makes light work of the relatively light 1.6 tonne weight of the XE. Acceleration is strong and this turbo-petrol’s mid-range is nothing short of explosive. In a straight drag, the XE eats the Audi A4 petrol for breakfast and spits the Mercedes C200 CGI out of its tailpipes. Get this – 0-100kmph in the XE arrives in 7.2 seconds compared to 9.2sec and 8.11sec for the A4 and C200 respectively and the gap only widens the quicker you go. The XE 25T is a seriously quick car and that means you can have bags of fun behind the wheel, especially on an open road.

What makes the 25T even more impressive is the fact that this motor is very driveable at city speeds. There is little lag and the engine feels responsive and alert. As experienced before, the 8-speed ZF auto makes the most from the power available and is quick to upshift or downshift. The only fly in the ointment is that the power delivery can get a bit jerky when you suddenly accelerate at low speeds, something smoother throttle inputs can sort. While the XE petrol revs comfortably to 6700rpm, it doesn’t spin up as easily as the Audi’s 1.8 Tsi and it isn’t turbine smooth either.

The XE does impress with its ride and handle balance. The XE rides with suppleness and you don’t find yourself sweating when you run over bad patches of tarmac. The XE does have an underlying firmness to its ride, which can make the suspension noisy at times. But, the low-speed ride is superb and there is almost no bobbing or pitching at speed. The baby Jag darts into corners with great agility and the quick steering is precise and has loads of feel. In fact, the electric steering is one of the best around. There is loads of grip from the 225 section high profile tyres and the XE just begs to be driven hard.

Priced at an eye-popping Rs 46.5 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), the XE is way more expensive than the regular C-Class, 3 Series and A4, and therefore, we don’t expect it to sell in huge numbers. Moreover, its cramped rear seating would limit its appeal further, espeically to those looking to be chauffer driven. But, if you are an enthusiast and love driving then nothing comes close to the Jaguar XE. And, it’s beautiful too.

The Jaguar XE rivals the likes of the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-Class, Audi A4 and the Volvo S60. While all its rivals offer a diesel engine option, the XE comes only in petrol form for now. The XE is on an average around Rs 2-3 lakh more expensive than its rivals.

Photography by: Kapil Angane

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