Jaguar XE launch tour - Anyone going? What to expect?

[loudlashadjuster]

I'm probably slap-bang in the middle of Jaguar's target demographic for the XE - early 40s, current Mercedes owner and changing cars next year - and am genuinely interested in it as an option so I signed up for one of their launch tour events.

Never been to one of these things before and if you'd asked me a few months ago I'd probably have said it would be like a dealer 'event', all low pressure sales with well-briefed salespeople and nice nibbles.

However, the pretentions on display at the actual XE launch (where to start...) along with an apparent and increasing willingness on JLR's part to angle after "aspirational" branding and I'm beginning to wonder what I might have let myself in for.

Will it be all discussing "core values" and "emotional engagement" with "brand ambassadors", or will I still be able to talk about the actual cars - you know, engines, model variants, servicing etc.?

Anyone else going to one of these things?

[sunnydude959]

If they're not putting the 5-litre in it, i'm not interested in the slightest.

[delays]

I tend to find some of the most cynical about marketing bull of this ilk tend to be the salespeople themselves.

[loudlashadjuster]

sunnydude959 said:

If they're not putting the 5-litre in it, i'm not interested in the slightest.

Ha! That's one of the things I'll be quizzing them on, along with the availability of the V6 in anything other than a Super Ultra Platinum Exclusive trim variant.

What's wrong with wanting a bit of poke without wanting 22" wheels, adaptive cup holders, self-levelling wipers etc.?