Monday 26th June 2017

New 300hp engine for Jaguar XE, XF and F-Pace

F-Type's 2.0-litre turbo makes it to more Jags

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It's not long now until we get to drive the four-cylinder Jaguar F-Type, a significant addition to a range of cars celebrated for their brazen soundtracks and outrageous performance. Can it still feel like an F-Type with four cylinders? Will it be a better four-cylinder sports car than a 718 Cayman? What will it sound like?

Those are questions to be answered soon, but before then we have news of more four-cylinder Jags: the XE, XF and F-Pace are all now available with the 300hp, 295lb ft 2.0-litre Ingenium turbo engine. Using a twin-scroll turbo and ceramic ball bearings, Jaguar claims the engine "delivers exceptionally smooth acceleration... and outstanding responses." All models use the eight-speed automatic.

In the F-Pace, that means 0-62mph in six seconds and 37mpg. The saloons are quicker, the XF hitting 62mph in 5.6 seconds and the XE 5.5, with both also returning 40mpg or more.

Now while some may not be too pleased at the prospect of new fast Jaguar saloons without six- or eight-cylinder engines, these XEs and XFs do arrive at an interesting time. The smaller saloon of course goes head-to-head with that other non-German four-cylinder alternative, the Alfa Giulia Veloce. There is BMW 340i to consider as well, but there isn't a high-powered petrol A4 below the S4 and the 300hp Mercedes C-Class is the C350e hybrid.

As for the XF, it compares quite favorably with the BMW 530i (252hp and 258lb ft, but 48.7mpg) and is about on par with Mercedes E350e, which uses the same powertrain as the C-Class.

All 300hp models are available to order now, although prices are yet to be announced. More info soon!

 

 

[redrook]

Cue all the PH'ers who talk about how the 40-cylinder isn't as "refined" or whatever, despite having never driven it, or possessing any inkling of the meaning of the term.