Brian Joss –
“Customers can choose a car that reflects their personalities”
A smooth, supple ride, exceptionally sharp steering, quiet, luxurious cabin and a selection of Jaguar’s best technologies – the new Jaguar XE delivers in all respects. And it’s available with a wide range of cutting-edge technologies designed to make every journey even more enjoyable.
Customers will be able to choose an XE that reflects their personality and fits their needs, with five trim levels on offer. Starting with the well-equipped XE Pure, customers have the option of revelling in luxury with the XE Prestige and XE Portfolio, or pursuing sportiness with the XE R-Sport and XE S. However, all models can be had with Jaguar’s best technologies.
“The Jaguar XE appeals to a wide audience, including increasingly tech-savvy customers who want the best technologies in their cars,” says Lisa Mallett, Marketing and Communications Director of Jaguar South Africa and sub-Sahara Africa. “This includes the standard connectivity options in the car, such as USB, all the way to the advanced driver assistance packages that make every journey a pleasure.”
Standard in the XE S and XE Portfolio, and optional in R-Sport and Prestige, is an audio system from British sound experts, Meridian. This 380-watt, 11-speaker system is tailored to the acoustic environment inside the XE, and uses Meridian’s advanced equaliser technologies to optimise sound quality.
Drivers will be able to enjoy music from a variety of sources, with all XE variants boasting a USB port with iPod integration, auxiliary audio jack, and Bluetooth connectivity. The latter can be used to take hands-free phone calls or stream music wirelessly.
All major functions can be accessed through the eight-inch touch-screen display on the dashboard, and this includes the satellite navigation system – standard fitment on flagship variants, and optional on other trim levels.
In addition to its in-car and entertainment technologies, the XE also offers an array of advanced driver assistance systems. An industry-first laser head-up display (HUD) projects sharp, high-contrast colour images onto the windscreen. This technology provides drivers with important information with minimum distraction, allowing them to keep their eyes on the road. As well as better image quality, the laser HUD is smaller and almost a third lighter than existing systems.
The laser HUD forms part of Jaguar’s optional Highway Technology Pack for the XE, which also includes Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), available on all XE variants. This latest-generation radar-based cruise control system not only adjusts speed to maintain a pre-set following distance to the car ahead, but also audibly and visually warns drivers when traffic suddenly slows. Using the same system, Intelligent Emergency Braking can also automatically slow the vehicle to reduce the chance of a collision. ACC also incorporates Queue Control, which brings the vehicle to a complete stop when following traffic. Drivers need only touch the accelerator to reengage the system, which will accelerate to its pre-set speed and following distance.
All XE variants will be fitted with JaguarDrive Control as standard. This system allows drivers to select driving modes that range from Eco to Dynamic. Each mode fine-tunes parameters that control the XE’s engine, steering, gearbox, traction control and information display systems. Eco mode will encourage drivers to adopt fuel efficient driving, with on-screen feedback relating to braking and acceleration. In Dynamic mode throttle response is adjusted, the gearbox shifts more quickly and the steering weight is increased.
