PARIS -- The Jaguar XE compact sedan will launch with optional all-wheel drive and a four-cylinder diesel engine when it goes on sale in the U.S.
The sedan won’t be on sale in the U.S. until 2016 -- as a 2017 model year vehicle -- because Jaguar’s U.S. executives wanted these features available from the start. Rear-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission will be standard.
The XE makes it public debut at the Paris auto show on Thursday. It will be available with a range of four- and six-cylinder engines in the U.S. Details aren’t yet available on horsepower or other specifications.
A manual transmission will not be available at launch.
Global engines include Jaguar’s new range of aluminum Ingenium engines. The two diesel 2.0-liter engines have outputs of 163 hp and 180 hp. The diesel engines are not yet compliant with U.S. emissions regulations.
The two 2.0-liter gasoline turbocharged engines generate 200 hp and 240 hp.
The U.S. market will also have a supercharged V-6 engine with 340 hp, which is currently available in the Jaguar range.
The XE will mark Jaguar’s re-entry into the cutthroat compact luxury segment. The XE will not only feature new engines, but it will also have new technology and a new modular aluminum-based architecture.
The sedan will compete with the Mercedes-Benz C class, BMW 3 series and Audi A4. Pricing for the U.S. market hasn’t yet been released.
With a length of 183.9 inches, the XE is slightly shorter than the redesigned 2015 C-class sedan (184.5 inches) and longer than the 3 series (182.2 inches). The XE has a wheelbase of 111.6 inches compared with the C class at 111.8 inches and the 3 series at 110.6 inches.
