UPDATE: We've include details of Jaguar's CarePlan which comprises maintenance, warranty and roadside assistance.
CAPE TOWN - Jaguar’s rear-wheel drive XE has arrived in South Africa.
The XE is powered by a range of four and six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, part of its new Ingenium engine family, mated to either a six-speed manual or eight-speed auto.
The new XE is available in four trim levels (Pure, Prestige, R-Sport, Portfolio) and is positioned below the XF and XJ.
LOADED WITH TECH
Lisa Mallett of Jaguar SA weighs in: "The Jaguar XE appeals to a wide audience, including increasingly tech-savvy customers who want the best technologies in their cars. 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 a Meridian 380-watt, 11-speaker system."
The new sedan will competing against the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
Wheels24's Sean Parker is attending the launch of the new Jaguar XE in Cape Town. He gives us a preview of the new luxury sedan.
Parker said: "I drove the Jaguar XE 2.0T petrol on Monday along the Helshoogte pass in Stellenbosch. It handled incredibly well and has a comfortable ride.
"The new Ingenium Diesel engine is built at its new Ingenium factory. Big news is the aluminum modular architecture for the chassis, steel doors and aluminum bonnet reduces weight. The new XE, says the automaker, is the lightest, stiffest, most aerodynamic Jaguar yet"
Driving the new Jaguar XE today. First up was the 2.0T petrol. @Wheels24 pic.twitter.com/HW3WJS7487
— Sean Parker (@Spaga23) August 24, 2015
"I'll be driving the 2.0 diesel on Tuesday and the range-topping 3.0S/C V6. All three variants are equipped with a ZF 8-speed auto however the Pure version can be fitted with a six-speed manual.
"Jaguar SA says it expects the diesel derivative to be its best-seller and are hoping to sell 540 (overall) units by March 2016."
Look out for his driving impressions of the new Jaguar XE on Wednesday.
Prices:
2.0 Diesel Pure - R 534 800
2.0 Diesel Prestige - R590 400
2.0 Diesel R-Sport - R614 000
2.0 Diesel Portfolio - R654 600
2.0 Petrol Prestige - R638 900
2.0 Petrol R-Sport - R662 600
2.0 Petrol Portfolio - R703 200
3.0 S/C S Pure - R908 100
Jaguar claims its XE prices will remain unchanged until 2016. The XE is sold with a five-year or 100 000km service plan, a five-year or 100 000km maintenance plan, a three-year or 100 000km warranty.
Watch the Jaguar XE in action: