It’s a sporting saloon, so does the fastest version of Jaguar’s all-important XE deliver?
As much as the diesel versions will be the biggest sellers in Jaguar’s all new XE range, its image and standing in the car park pecking order will be largely down to its sporting image, which for the moment is down to the top-spec S version.
Powered by the same 3.0-litre supercharged V6 petrol unit used in the F-Type S, the XE S has 335bhp and 332lb/ft of torque and sends all that power to the rear wheels through the eight-speed automatic transmission offered elsewhere in the range. It gains adaptive suspension and larger brakes as standard too.
Already a good-looking car, the XE looks even more attractive in S guise. 19in alloy wheels are standard with optional 18in or 20in versions too, and with subtle side skirts plus re-sculpted bumpers front and rear it looks sporting and aggressive but without being over the top. The same goes for the inside, with more flashes of colour and aluminium, plus suede trim.
The ‘S’ brand as a step below the top performance bracket is still in its infancy for Jaguar but the good work done by the F-Type models has established its credibility. Rather than being simply a badge and some bigger wheels, the S designation clearly denotes genuine performance and handling.
There are no compromises between the S model and other versions of the XE, so the space on offer is well up with the key class competitors. The seats are excellent, with standard electric adjustment and enhanced support, and it’s easy for front seat occupants to get comfortable with good head and legroom.
Back seat passengers fair pretty well too, although anyone over 6ft will be more comfortable in a front seat. The rear seat has a split fold for the first time on a Jaguar and leads to the 450 litre boot, 455 litres if specified with an emergency tyre repair kit.
With darker trims as standard and smarter materials, the cabin of the XE S is arguably the best of the bunch. The standard automatic transmission also brings with it the rotary gear selector which tidies up the transmission tunnel, with steering wheel paddles fitted as standard.
With a more sporting set-up even with the adaptive suspension system it would have been easy to sacrifice the standard car’s beautifully judged ride and handling balance in favour of the latter, but remarkably the XE S is just as adept at dealing with both challenges.
Ride comfort in normal conditions is excellent even on the largest alloy wheel option, and although firm it never becomes harsh even on tough surfaces. Even so the handling is revelatory; it turns in with superb precision and no hint of understeer, remains composed regardless of the surface and offers excellent grip from both ends. That the front suspension and torque vectoring system are derived from the
F-Type plays a big part in just how good the XE S is
to drive.
The performance on offer is almost a secondary aspect, but the XE S is fast rather than outrageously so. Although quieter than the delightfully neighbour-bothering F-Type with the same engine, the exhaust noise is a pleasing rasp and the flexibility on offer makes cruising fuss-free.
The standard XE specification is good but the S version loads on additional treats. As well as the standard adaptive suspension and automatic gearbox, S models also get heated electric leather seats, aluminium and piano black trim, bi-xenon headlights, 19in alloy wheels, keyless entry and the premium Meridian audio system to name a few. It’s certainly not a cheap car, but it’s packed with kit and offers a highly rewarding driving experience.
It’s easy to think of the XE S as a stop gap before the really hot V8-powered R models arrive, but anyone shopping for a performance saloon right now needs to give this one some serious consideration. It’s sufficiently luxurious and comfortable in everyday driving but is great fun to drive and enormously capable when pressing on. It’s even acceptably efficient for the performance, with claimed figures of 34.9mpg combined and 194g/km of CO2.
Facts & figures
Model: Jaguar XE S 3.0 S/C
Price: £44,865
Engine: 3.0-litre petrol unit producing 335bhp and 332lb/ft of torque
Performance: Top speed 155mph, 0-62mph in 5.1 seconds
Economy: 34.9mpg combined
CO2 rating: 194g/km