This weekend I’ve been quite busy driving the latest excitement from Jaguar which is the XE S, a mid sized luxury sporty executive sedan which is powered by a V6 3.0 litre super charged petrol engine generating an outstanding 335 hp with a torque of 450nm. I have not seen much Jaguar cars on Dubai roads but after driving this one I can surely tell Jaguar has delivered a fine satisfying car this time which is a pleasure to driving enthusiasts combining exhilarating performance with a distinctive sporty design which what Jaguar really stands for. The Jaguar logo makes complete sense for the Jaguar XE-S model.
The size and strength of the Jaguar XE-S makes it very obvious that it is to be placed in the competition lane with the likes of BMW 340i series or the Mercedes C400. The XE-S version has got the same engine which is used in the F-type (the best performing Jaguar sports car) and mounted by a twin vortex supercharger that helps you travel from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.1 seconds. Even though it’s got a powerful engine under the hood it’s surprisingly silent as it can get. As I step up the accelerator I can feel the muscle of the car from the rear roaring but it’s a refined one. It’s a silent wild cat.
The Jaguar XE-S is built using the Jaguar’s latest aluminum architecture. Infact 75% of the car is made from Aluminum helping the car to be lighter and fuel efficient. There is a strict focus on aerodynamics in the XE’s body design like the deliberate cropped rear to maximize airflow. Besides the engine, the chrome side vents and the iconic tail lights has been borrowed from the F-type. There is a beauty in the design of the brushed aluminium vents. One thing I felt about the good looking stainless steel and rubber sports pedals in the Jaguar XE-S was that it was a little short in size. At times while driving I felt the accelerator should have been a little longer in length. Notice the 20″ inch propeller 10 spoke wheel, it’s just makes a statement.
The ride quality in the Jaguar XE-S has been fabulous with great agility and feedback. The car does feel light due to it’s light weight aluminum architecture and the 3.0 litre v6 engine found inside the XE-S is an incredible one and will not compromise on performance which gives you a thrilling drive. So with a lighter body and a powerful engine I have noticed during the initial burst of speed from 0kms there has been at times the car just wobble before it sets a straight drive. I love the responsive electric power assisted steering wheel in the Jaguar XE-S. Firstly, the softgrain leather steering feels great to hold and the way you can manure this car with this steering wheel is amazing. They claim the electric power steering does give immediate power assistance when needed and stays inactive otherwise to save fuel and power.
When it comes to interior design there are certain aspects I like about the inside. The car does feel luxurious. There are no signs of any cheap plastic materials anywhere. But the center console design looks too simple a design. One of the first things impressed by most is the shape of the 8 speed automatic gear. I mean there is a gear but it’s a just a knob this time. You start your car the gear knob pops up for the driver to take control. All these tiny experiences makes this car feel special. Some of you might even feel your right hand out place in the beginning if you’ve been resting your hand on the gear all these years. The comfortable quality leather sports seats are worth an option to purchase. My whole body was well supported throughout my long drives and never felt better. Well done to that!
JaguarDrive Control allows you to select Normal, Eco, Dynamic or Rain Ice Snow modes, each subtly changing the steering and throttle mapping. The in-car technology in this car has lot to excite you. It begins with the noticeable head up display which shows the speed and navigation details right on the wind screen without having to refer down to the instrument cluster. The exciting feature was the Jaguar’s advanced park assist features. The Jaguar XE-S steering wheel would automatically turn by itself to maneuver the car during parallel and bay parking. Features you’ve only been seeing in futuristic cars until now. Please check out the above video on the parallel parking done using Jaguar’s XE park assist feature. The customization on the digital instrument cluster is very limited :(.
Phones can be easily integrated with Jaguar XE infotainment. Everything syncs easily between the car and your phone which includes your contacts. So calling and dialing people over the infotainment is a breeze. Phone integration was the best I liked about their infotainment. The GPS navigation has been disappointing. It’s difficult to locate your destination using the built in GPS navigation.
The leg room for the back passenger is quite limited but the trunk seems to be much more spacious than expected when you open it. The wide panoramic roof on the Jaguar XES is situated at a nice angle that is a pleasure to look at the beautiful sky. Also to avoid intense sunlight the roof has an electric blind to cut it off.
Pricing: the Jaguar XE starts at a price of Dhs169,000 which can be customized to the extent you need depending on the kind of engine, model, exterior, interior and other optional features you add to it. This specific model which I test drove is Dhs 241,000.
Optional features would include:
• Meridian Sound System – 380W, 11 Speakers, 12 channel class D DSP amplifier, Audyssey MultEQ Audio Equalisation, Dynamic volume control
• Interior Mood Lighting
• Advanced Parking Assist Pack with 360 Park Distance Control and Perpendicular Parking System
• Heads Up Display
• Taurus Leather Sports Perforation Seat with
Heated/Cooled Front and Heated Rear Seats
Jaguar XE-S at Dubai showrooms comes with only one configuration, priced at Dhs 234,000 which includes:
- 5 years or 250.000 KM warranty.
- 5 years road side assistant free.
- 5 years or 65.000 KM free service and maintenance.
Click here to visit Jaguar’s official middle east website. Click pictures below to see them in full screen view:
In Jaguar, we experience the thrill of performance and handling with luxury, craftsmanship and advanced technology.