Jaguar XE 2019 News

Jaguar has revealed what it's describing as the world's fastest production sedan, whipping the covers off the stonking XE SV Project 8 Touring.You'll remember the Project 8, I'm sure; the huge wing-wearing performance sedan limited to just 300 units.

Jaguar has revealed a facelifted version of its XE mid-sizer, with updated styling and technology, but most importantly, a new model lineup with just two variants on offer.Unlike the previous XE, which offered up to 11 individual models for buyers to choose from, the updated model offers just two - the $65,670 SE R-Dynamic and the $71,490 HSE R-Dynamic - and unlike the previous model, a 221kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol with an eight-speed automatic transmission will be the sole engine option. The XE’s equipment levels have also been upgraded to compete with the new BMW 3 Series. The SE R-Dynamic now includes 18-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery with powered front seats, traffic sign recognition, tyre pressure monitoring, front and rear parking sensors with a reversing camera, lane keep assist, DAB+ digital radio and an upgraded media system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.The HSE R-Dynamic then adds a larger multimedia screen, 19-inch alloy wheels, a 380W 11-speaker Meridian sound system, high-speed autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, 18-way electrically adjustable front seats with driver’s memory functionality and a powered steering column.Jaguar Land Rover Australia spokesperson James Scrimshaw indicated to CarsGuide that range simplification is on the table for future products.“We have taken the opportunity to revise our line up as part of the Jaguar XE 20MY mid-cycle refresh,” said Mr Scrimshaw. “I can’t go into detail about our future model plans, but we will be looking at some further rationalisation going forward.” So far in 2019, Jaguar XE sales are up by 19.0 per cent to 125 units in a market down 8.1 per cent. However, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is currently sitting on 2,094 units for the year, which is up by 31.1 per cent. 

Jaguar has marked three decades since the closure of one Grand Prix racing’s most charismatic circuits – Circuit de Charade, Clermont-Ferrand - by setting a new lap record around its tortuously twisting layout.Established race ace and Jaguar SV Project 8 driver, Vencent Radermecker took the wheel of the special edition Jaguar XE 300 Sport to complete the first flying lap of the circuit in 30 years, setting a new production car record in the process.The 8.0km, 48-turn circuit, located near the Chaîne des Puys mountains in southern France, hosted the French Grand Prix in 1965, 1969, 1970, and 1972, but was finally closed in 1988 due to its modest run-off areas and regular rock falls from the nearby volcanic peaks.In the Belgian’s expert hands the 221kW/400Nm 2.0-litre ‘Ingenium’ (petrol) powered XE recorded a time of 4:09 at an average speed of 116km/h. For reference, Kiwi Chris Amon’s fastest lap in the 1972 French Grand Prix at Clermont Ferrand was 2:53 at an average of 168km/h.In an interesting side note, former Le Mans winner and current Red Bull F1 team advisor, Helmut Marko was at the wheel of a BRM in the 1972 French Grand Prix at Clermont-Ferrand when he was hit in the eye by a rock thrown up from Emerson Fittipaldi's Lotus, and never raced again.After completing his lap Radermecker said, “I set the production saloon record at the Nürburgring in the XE SV Project 8 last year and this lap was every bit as demanding. The longest straight is barely 600 metres, so I can see why drivers used to call this the French Nürburgring.”Australian pricing for the Jaguar XE 300 Sport is confirmed at $79,400, before on-road costs, with all 300 Sport models featuring unique ‘Dark Satin Grey’ details including the door mirror caps, rear spoiler and grille surround, along with 300 Sport badging on the front grille and boot lid. ‘Satin Technical Grey’ finish 19- or 20-inch alloy wheels are exclusive to the XE 300 Sport along with branded brake calipers. Colours offered are ‘Yulong White’, ‘Indus Silver’, ‘Santorini Black’ and ‘Caldera Red’.