Jaguar is working on a series of high-performance cars that will provide fresh head-on rivalry for BMW’s M division and Mercedes-AMG - and an extreme M3-rivalling version of the new Jaguar XE is among the models being lined up.
Buoyed by one of the freshest product lines in the industry - with the XE being joined by the brand-new F-Pace crossover and the second-generation XF by the end of this year - the British manufacturer is aiming to roll out halo editions that will appeal to well-heeled customers in key markets.
Read our thoughts on a standard Jaguar XE as we give it a thorough going over
Jaguar also expects the new performance models to boost brand equity and legitimacy in the same way that the M3 and C63 have helped the 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
The fastest XE at the car’s launch is the supercharged V6 S, which has 335bhp - the same output as the entry-level F-Type. This could also be joined by a diesel S using the 237bhp, 369lb ft V6 that’s already seen in the XF.
For the performance flagship, instead of using the F-Type S’s more powerful V6, which would still fall short of the M3’s power output, Jaguar is expected to slot in the V8 from the F-Type roadster to create the XE-R. That should have 488bhp, enough to slash the XE’s 0-62mph time down to well under 5.0sec.
Jaguar sources have confirmed that this V8 is actually easier to fit under the XE’s bonnet than the more upright Ford-sourced four-cylinder petrol motor and Jaguar Land Rover’s own Ingenium four-cylinder diesel.
The S’s adaptive dampers will be retuned, giving the XE-R a much more focused chassis set-up, and the eight-speed ZF automatic transmission will be reprofiled for crisper, more aggressive shifts in manual mode.
The XE-R will probably be priced to match the M3, starting at about £55,000.
With this powerplant, the XE-R will fulfil the role of taking on the M3 and the C63 while still allowing the potential for JLR’s Special Vehicle Operations to create its own, even more hardcore edition.
That could use the 542bhp V8 from the Jaguar F-Type R Coupé, allowing the fastest XE to outgun both of its German rivals and Audi’s forthcoming next-generation RS4. This version of the small Jaguar saloon would get further aerodynamic tweaks and access to more exotic materials, including carbonfibre.
Jaguar officials remain publicly cautious on the prospects of high-performance models. One high-level source said: “We need to get the next year to 18 months over and the new products established. Then our sales volumes will have doubled and we’ll be a different company, with the scope for further investment.”
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XE-R?
Is it me or does that name not really fit the hot XE? The restrained addition of a simple letter R after the name works on Jaguar's more individual models but on the mass market XE it seems like a bit more is required. An acknowledgement that it is something special, not just the standard fleet car with a big engine in it.
Something akin to the way BMW goes from '3-series 320i M Sport' to 'M3'. Perhaps the opposite direction. Call it the Jaguar XENON. A name that instantly conjures up a potential advert with a disgruntled frenchman. XE, Non!
542 hp... Only?! To go at 50
I would prefer a small L6...
V8 is wrong direction for this segment
I love a V8 soundtrack like any other petrolhead, but the logical solution would be to get a higher output out of the supercharged V6 (taking it from 380 to 440hp isn't that much of a stretch) or, better yet, dumping the inefficient supercharger and adding quick-spooling turbos. Heck, even Cadillac is doing it with the ATS-V