Friday 20th April 2018

Jag kills six-cylinder saloons

300hp four-cylinder turbos replace XE S and XF S as most potent models

---

The introduction of the more realistic WLTP emissions test has claimed another victim, this time in the form of Jaguar's 3.0-litre supercharged V6. Due to the stricter limitations imposed on manufacturers by the new checks, Jag has announced the cessation of XE S and XF S sales in the UK and Europe once residual stock has been sold, although the model will remain available in the USA. It would also seem for now that the XJ continues with this engine, the 340hp version still available on the configurator.

Environmental concerns aren't solely to blame, however. With the cars apparently accounting for fewer than two per cent of sales, the effort required to make the models compliant was understandably deemed commercially unviable.

When asked about the decision a Jaguar spokesperson explained, "380ps sales accounted for less than two per cent of XE, XF sales in the UK. Coupled with impending emissions regulation changes, it makes sense to remove these variants from sale. We have introduced the 300ps 2.0L Ingenium, our most powerful four-cylinder engine yet, at a better price point which we are directing customers to, still getting a Jaguar driving experience but more efficiently."

On that note, Jaguar has also announced the availability of an XE 300 Sport model, set to be introduced alongside the preexisting XF 300 Sport. The new XE will use the same, lighter, four-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine as is available in the XF of the same name, and which has been previously seen in the F-Type P300.

Boasting 300hp and 295lb ft of torque, the all-wheel drive powertrain propels the XE 300 Sport to 60mph in 5.4 seconds (around half a second slower than the RWD XE S's 5.0 second time) and on to the same limited 155mph top speed.

With a starting price of £45,160, the XE 300 Sport will cost around the same as the outgoing XE S. While the loss of the V6, and its soundtrack, will no doubt cause consternation amongst fast saloon fans, it seems not enough people put their money where their mouths were to justify its continued production. Hopefully the increased economy of the new model will persuade more buyers to do just that, and don't forget, for those after a truly monstrous four-door Jag, the 600hp, 200mph Project 8, complete with a 5.0-litre V8, will be hitting roads later this year.

 

[Yoof]

"Jag kills six-cylinder saloons" ...until they launch the straight six Ingenium.

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/jlr-la...

There's hope for cylinder counts >4 yet