Another relic of Jaguar’s ill-fated relationship with Ford has been kicked to the curb.
For 2018, Jaguar ditches its old 2.0-liter turbo and adds a new base four-cylinder engine to its lineup, bringing more power and efficiency to the XE sedan and a new starting point for its XF and F-Pace.
The new Ingenium engine, designed in-house, is a turbocharged 2.0-liter unit making 247 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque, topping the outgoing engine by 7 hp and 18 lb-ft.
With twin scroll turbos on tap, Jaguar claims the mill should address complaints related to lag and throttle response. The big technological news, however, is an electrohydraulic valvetrain that gives the engine’s electronic nanny full control of intake valve lift. This should translate into improved fuel efficiency and greater power delivery at all engine speeds. Maximum torque is now available at just 1,200 rpm.
Also new on the Ingenium unit is a reworked direct-injection system and an exhaust manifold that’s integrated into the cylinder head casing. Expect faster engine warm-up times, Jaguar says, thanks to coolant flowing through the manifold.
While Jaguar has maintained its existing 2.0-liter diesel and two supercharged 3.0-liter V6 engines in 2018 models, it adds the gas four to the higher-end XF sedan and F-Pace SUV.
That translates into fewer bucks for an entry-level XF, which sees its base MSRP fall from $48,250 to $47,775 (excluding a $995 delivery charge and fees).
When installed in the F-Pace, Jaguar says the Ingenium gas four will move the SUV to 60 miles per hour from a standstill in 6.4 seconds. Price, on the other hand, hasn’t become more competitive. Starting MSRP rises slightly to $42,065.
Besides a new engine, the XE gains a range-topping S trim for 2018, adopting the 380 hp supercharged V6 from the F-Type, which tops the second-rung R-Sport by 40 hp. Now better positioned to tackle its formidable German competition, the XE sees its entry price jump to $35,725 from 2017’s $34,900.
A limited-edition Portfolio trim is available on the XE, XF and F-Pace, powered by the 340 hp V6.
To keep pace with its rivals, Jaguar boosted the amount of driver assist technology on its models. The full suite is now available of more trims, and two new features arrive for 2018. The first is Forward Traffic Detection, which uses a forward-facing camera and corner radars to pick out obstructions, while Forward Vehicle Guidance is meant to assist drivers performing low-speed maneuvers in tight spots.
[Image: Jaguar Land Rover]
They could really compete with the Germans by making their lineup less complicated.
I read elsewhere that Jaguar dropped its plans to make a manual available for the XE. Much less interesting now.
Do you have a source for this? If it’s true that sucks.
This is from June ’16. Most of the articles promising a manual were from before the car went on sale, back in 2015. Not an official Jaguar statement or anything, but then again I haven’t heard anything recently about them affirming the availability of the manual.
“One thing we Americans will not get: a manual transmission option on any of the cars. They couldn’t make a business case for it, I was told.”
http://jalopnik.com/the-2017-jaguar-xe-is-good-but-definitely-not-the-best-1782004733
Take it for what it’s worth.
A couple of things. Jaguar offered the 6 speed on the F-Type for the 2016 model year expecting a take rate of 20%, they got less than 3% so the odds of putting the manual in the XE are slim to none.
Enough with 30 year old tales of Jaguar unreliability, Jaguar quality is on par with the Germans and the offer a 5 year/60,000 mile warranty to back it up.
Jaguar lease rates are very competitive, you can get an XE Premium for $365 per month with $850 out of pocket.
Finally styling, we all pine for the luxurious Jaguars of old but the style appealed mostly to a demographic that was literally dying off. Jaguars now look modern and crisp, very sporty yet still luxurious enough for their customers. Check out the limited edition XE, XF and F-Pace portfolio for 2018 if you want more luxury.
Jaguar is on a roll and with the upcoming E-Pace and I-Pace, not to mention the J-Pace in a few years, will continue to be on a roll particularly as they offer something similar yet different enough from the Germans to appeal to the upwardly mobile. Exclusivity is an integral part of luxury so 31,000 sales last year make the brand interesting to the buyer who wants something different from all the BMW’s and M-B’s out there.
behold the power of German/Lexus lease incentives and branding. errr, German/Toyota attention to the demands of the luxury consumer.
Even w/new product Jaguar is barely moving the needle in America.
(yes, Jaguar has big yearly % increases, but they are still at the bottom rungs—just not as deep)
There are a couple of things at play here.
For starters, Americans are losing interest in luxury sedans. Every lost luxury sedan sale went to a luxury crossover in 2016 (a 130K transfer overall).
And you can see it in Jag’s lineup. From 2015-2016, their sales nearly tripled, thanks in part to the debut of the XE, but mostly to the F-pace. In January nearly half the Jaguars sold were F-paces, and a quarter were XEs.
In addition, Americans are a lot more interested in new crossovers than new sedans…. every new luxury sedan launched since the recession (ATS, XE) besides the Model S has bombed and pretty much completely failed to capture any meaningful market share.
Final blow is lease rates… luxury cars have something like a 50% lease rate. Non-established models & second tier brands don’t have the resale values necessary to sustain competitive lease rates, which prompts a death spiral almost immediately after the company runs out of capital for subsidies. German/Lexus resale and transaction prices are good enough (and the companies are capitalized enough) that the padding isn’t as painful. These relative upstarts don’t have that luxury.
Sounds like Tata needs to open up the pocketbooks and get those Jags moving. If they can buy out the British steel industry, they can afford to subsidize cars as well.
So only about 500 less bucks…not thanks
And 7 more HP. Can’t forget about that!
“…The big technological news, however, is an electrohydraulic valvetrain ”
I realize this is not your father’s Jaguar, but as a former Jag owner, that sentence gives me the heebie-jeebies.
Granted, the new Jags all seem to be better in every way than just about any older Jag, but something seems to be missing from this new crop of offerings.
A nice wood dashboard?
J-shifter?
Character. What reason is there for someone to get this over a 3er?
A deep and mysterious love for the cheapest interior known to man? Also a bit cheaper.
BMW interiors aren’t exactly top notch for luxury classes at the moment.
If you want a sport sedan more than a luxury sedan, I think the XE and XF are better cars than the BMWs. And for real luxury appointments with according interior quality Mercedes and Audi top both.
The fact that no one would ever say to you, “hey, nice 3er” is reason enough to look at the Jaguar.
And it starts $5,000 less than the first 3er worth having, the 330.
@threeer
Ingenium engine will be built in a straight 6 cylinder form petrol and diesel
Styling?
“the engine’s electronic nanny”
Don’t ever use that phrase again.
This engine will also be the basis for the upcoming inline 6.
And not a moment too soon as the current V6 uses the V8 block to save money and consequently is way too heavy for a 6.
@carguy
Also a 400hp Diesel using the straight six configuration
http://blog.caranddriver.com/jaguar-plans-new-straight-six-engines/
The Indians are doing a tremendous job with Jaguar. Feels like the brand has its swagger back.
I haven’t look at a Jaguar and gone, “drool, want…” since the XJ220…so almost 25 years.
When is the I6 version coming out?
@ajla
Do not know more about the engine family. All Ford connections will be gone
http://blog.caranddriver.com/jaguar-plans-new-straight-six-engines/
Not sure if engines are the real problem of Jaguar. They might want to have a look at the cheap, drab interiors.
Well they also lost there distinct styling which was very elegant years ago. Now they blend in with the other Euro sedans