Jaguar confirms new 3 Series fighter will be called XE

In a suprise turn-up at Geneva, Jaguar has given us our first glimpse at its all-importnant new small saloon. There is no physical car to see on the stand, sadly, but instead Jaguar has released this first image of the front of the car and some technical details to go along with it.

The photo shows a car which takes the existing styling language of the XF and XJ and widens it, creating a more ground-hugging look. What you can't see from the photo, but what the structure of the chassis suggests, is that the XE will have an unsually long nose and short boot, with a steeply-raked rear screen that gives it almost a fastback look.

Underneath, the XE is all-aluminium, something that may give it a technology and weight lead over its rivals; the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Mercedes C-Class. It will also be one of the first cars to receive Jaguar’s new range of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. Set to be called ’Ingeneum’ these new engines are so crucial to Jaguar’s future that the company has invested in an entirely new factory in which to build them. Collectively they will run the gamut from a a sub-100g/km diesel model to a turbocharged petrol capable of a 300kmh top speed for the hot XE-R model.

With bad memories of the failure of the X-Type saloon still fresh in Jaguar’s corporate mind, it’s taking no chances with the XE being a standalone model. Estate, coupe and convertible models will follow swiftly on from the debut of the saloon, while the chassis will also see service under a prodcution version of the C-X17 concept SUV, likely to be called XQ.

Ian Callum, Director of Design, said that "the new Jaguar XE is every bit a modern Jaguar; more compact in size but visually striking. Customers will expect a great deal from a mid-size Jaguar - it must be practical but premium. We never forget we are designing a Jaguar and that means it must be as exciting to look at and drive as it is brilliant to run and practical to own. We believe we've done just that with the Jaguar XE."