LIVE 24-SEVEN JAGUAR XE IMPRESSIVE MID-LIFE OVERHAUL!
When the Jaguar XE first arrived on the scene a few years ago, it was considered the baby of the brand, the interior maybe wasn't going to set the world on fire, but fast forward to 2019 and having caused a stir with the F-Pace, E-Pace and I-Pace, the company’s designers and engineers set their sights on the XE, to great effect.
Arriving in Nice alongside a few other journalists, influencers and David Gandy – a huge fan of the brand – we jumped into the new XE to put it through its paces around the Cote d'Azur.
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The first thing to note is this 2019 model is a leaner, meaner reiteration. The 3 Series BMW is firmly in its sights, or rear view mirror. The lower, wider and more aggressive stance, with vast intakes, makes it striking and more determined-looking than ever. New LED lights front and rear and sportier bumpers at both ends make the car look the part, more expensive and more imposing, despite the dimensions remaining relatively the same. Winding around the streets of St Tropez behind another XE, you couldn't help but be impressed by how the car moved effortlessly, yet with determination and the brake lights flowed beautifully with the curves of the car – a super design cue!
Step inside and the impressive upgrade to the exterior is somewhat outweighed by the significant leap forward in the interior, both in terms of technology and styling. The triple screen Touch Pro Duo infotainment system is pretty much lifted from the I-Pace and is easy to use, as well as striking in appearance. There's also a new wireless charging pad for your phone in front of the new leather clad gear selector. The new steering wheel has easier to use controls and the better grade leathers are a joy to sit on! To summarise the interior, I'd say it's a perfect example of carefully designed sporting luxury and sheer cruiseability, which is exactly what you want in a saloon.
Strong handling has always been delivered by the XE, so nothing has changed there – it’s responsive and sleek, just what you need, especially on the roads we travelled on! It might take some getting used to, but the first-in-class switchable camera view for the rear-view mirror improves your vision when the back seat is full of passengers; lifted from the new Range Rover Evoque it works a treat once you've settled into it.
Every model gets a smooth eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard, which responds quickly to each turn of the steering wheel-mounted paddles – should you choose to shift the cogs manually. Simplified engine and model line-ups mean there are now just three engine choices – one diesel and two petrol – and three trim variations – S, SE and HSE. You can then add R-Dynamic specification to any of the above, which brings cosmetic enhancements inside and out, but no mechanical differences.
It really is British excellence; the XE has grown up from the baby of the brand to be a serious alternative to anything else in its sector.
Hotel Sezz, our base for the trip, is one uber-stylish hang out, from Dom Perignon bar to the incredible pool lit red by night, as the likes of David Gandy, influencers and a handful of journos like me partied until just short of breakfast, whilst the XE standing watch in the background looked perfectly at home.
Review by Katie McPhilimey
LIVE24-SEVEN.COM
MOTORING, SPORT & ENTERTAINMENT JAGUAR XE
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