Page 43 - Motoring World (January 2020)

Buttons lack that premium touch and feel A conventional gear shifter is blasphemy, no? Simple design with fantastic matte paint

The most prominent visual rpm, it sounds glorious as it snarls It always looked great outside and
change, though, is the absence to the redline. Unfortunately, it it now gets an interior to go with
of the iconic Jaguar circular gear doesn’t feel urgent anymore. This it. It has pretty much caught up to
selector. A conventional stalk is how seems to be a recurring theme in the BMW 3 Series dynamically and
you shift now. The seats are still BS6-compliant vehicles, and it’s a might actually be more comfortable
plush, and extremely comfortable. little disheartening in a 246-bhp car. once the hills end. What it has lost
The sunroof continues to let it a lot But nothing comes close to being to BS6 is something we will need to
of light. And it’s still a Jaguar affair. as disheartening (or annoying?) as just accept as it isn’t the only one.
The rear follows this theme, and like the way the Jaguar XE responds But in a world where sport saloons
the previous car, offers decent to throttle pedal inputs. When you are trying to get more radical, I think
leg-room. But most importantly, push the pedal to accelerate, there the Jaguar XE maintains its status
it feels new and fresh, and that is a noticeable turbo lag before the as being the only saloon that looks
matters to customers. car gets going. You can see the revs elegant and is still a hoot to drive.
When it comes to driving, the climb, but none of it translates to And in a segment ruled by Germany
Jaguar XE is just a facelift, so acceleration. And then it suddenly in India, a Brit might be a good
there are no surprises, dynamically gets a move on. It’s the same story thing, no? ■
speaking. The steering has heft, when letting off the throttle. The
offers good feedback and doesn’t turbo is still spinning, so the car
feel vague at all. The brakes are doesn’t commence deceleration as
fantastic with great bite and feel. soon as you let off the pedal. It’s a
The suspension and chassis combo little baffling, honestly. But perhaps
remains thoroughly enjoyable when this is the trade-off a cleaner world
pushed hard. It is light and flickable, demands, and I’m not a fan. JAGUAR XE
and in an age where the BMW 3 The 8-speed transmission is a
Series is steadily getting softer with little iffy, too. The shifts themselves P250 SE
every generation, the Jaguar XE is are very quick and I love the slight POWERTRAIN
a worthy alternative (yes, we’ll pit jolt on upshifts in Sport mode, but Displacement 1997cc, inline-4, Petrol
them against each other soon). the computer always seems to want
I especially love how quickly it to decide the right gear just as you Max power 246.7 bhp@5500 rpm
settles down when you chuck it get on the gas (if you leave it in full Max torque 37.2 kgm@1500-4000 rpm
from side to side, and it just inspires auto). I’m sure one can get used to Transmission 8-speed, automaticl
oodles of confidence. When using it the characteristics of the turbo and TYRES
merely as a commuter, it is quiet, transmission if you spend enough F/R 225/55 R17
refined and comfortable. It soaks up time with the car. But it certainly DIMENSIONS
bad roads comfortably enough, and demands you redefine how a throttle L/W/H (mm) 4691/2075/1416
in Eco or Comfort mode, it offers pedal is used. Wheelbase 2835 mm
a smooth stress-free drive. The I drove the previous Jaguar XE a Ground clearance NA
engine, though, has been tweaked couple of years back and I realise my Kerb weight 1655 kg
and updated to meet BS6 norms. It opinion hasn’t really changed. Is it Fuel capacity 61 litres
is still the 2.0-litre Ingenium turbo- the most fun sedan in the segment?
petrol, a strong punchy motor that Probably not. Is it the most complete PRICE ` 46.33 LAKH
revs up quickly. Once past 3000 package, though? Most certainly. (ex-showroom)

JANUARY 2020 | MOTORING WORLD 43