Jaguar XE

Ian Callum designed the XE's exterior.[27] The construction features bonded and riveted aluminium construction, with bolt-on front and rear crash structure and key body panels to simplify repair and decrease insurance costs.[28][29] In the event of a collision with a pedestrian, the active bonnet pops up to provide additional protection.[18][10]

The exterior design has a drag co-efficient of 0.26.

XE S Interior

The interior features a flush rotary gear selector which raises and becomes functional once the engine is started. The central console featured a 8 inches (20 cm) or optional 10.2 inch touch screen, providing access to in car entertainment, satellite navigation and vehicle settings. The XE features smartphone connectivity and some models allow the owner to pre-heat the interior or unlock the car remotely, using a smartphone application.[18][27] A laser colour head-up display is an available option.

Interior revisions in 2017[30] include cupholder covers, revised and higher resolution display and standard infotainment interface marketed as In-Control Touch Pro reliant on a user-provided data connection Sim card.

In 2019, the interior was revised with new door panels, center tunnel, and a revised infotainment system marketed as In-Control Touch Pro Duo and shared with other Jaguar Land Rover products. The automatic's rotary knob gear selector was replaced with a more conventional type marketed as the Sport Shift Selector.[24]

Jaguar XE structure

The XE is the first built on the Jaguar Land Rover iQ[Al] (D7a) modular platform, also used for the second generation Jaguar XF (X260) model, the Jaguar F-Pace sports utility vehicle and the Range Rover Velar.[31] The design features double wishbone suspension at the front, with similarities to the system fitted to the XF and F-Type models, the rear features an entirely new subframe mounted multi-link suspension system, marketed as Integral Link. The system costlier to manufacture but allows for greater tuning.[18]

The major suspension components are manufactured from aluminium to reduce the unsprung as well as overall vehicle mass and increase the suspension system stiffness.[27] The suspension system features sacrificial slip-fixings to protect expensive major components from damage.[29] To create the 50:50 weight balance the battery is located in the trunk/boot, consuming space normally accommodating the spare wheel. The rear boot floor and trunk lid are steel, contributing to balanced weight distribution.[32]

Single-piston brake calipers are provided with one of three different sizes of brake discs fitted, depending on the vehicle's configuration.[7] An electric power steering system is fitted and the XE comes with a choice of four different road wheel sizes.[18] Initially there were eight available alloy wheel designs.[7]

Jaguar Land Rover Ingenium engine

Initially offered with rear-wheel drive, the D7a modular architecture was designed to accommodate all-wheel drive (AWD), which was offered in November 2015,[33] to compete with Audi Quattro, BMW xDrive and Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC models.[27]

All XE models are equipped with a ZF 8HP45 or ZF 8HP70 eight-speed automatic transmission,[34] a lighter variant of the gearbox currently fitted to other Jaguar models and the competing BMW 3 Series.[18] The gearbox is older version of the second generation ZF 8HP50 currently fitted to the competing Alfa Romeo Giulia model. A six-speed ZF manual gearbox is available on diesel models.[7][27]

The XE uses a traction control system marketed as All Surface Progress Control, developed from the Terrain Response system fitted to Land Rover's off-road vehicles and allowing better traction in snow and ice.[7][18][27]