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Jaguar XE Body, Chassis Use 75 Percent Aluminum

You heard that right - the British marque's upcoming model will get a lightweight, aluminum-intensive construction. Through bonding and riveting of the unibody, the Jaguar XE promises increased levels of torsional rigidity and a low curb weight.
Jaguar XE beneath the skin 1 photo
Photo: Jaguar
That's the best of news for the enthusiastic driver that's fed up with the ever-present BMW 3 Series and wants a capable sedan that can keep up with the Bavarian model. Set to make its world debut in London on September 8th, the upcoming Jaguar XE is still in its "teasing phase." Even the Ford-sourced mills of yesterday will be replaced by a new family of gasoline and diesel engines called Ingenium.

The first four-cylinder Ingenium powerplant to enter mass production will be the AJ200D, a turbo diesel that boasts with central direct high-pressure fuel injection, variable valve timing and start-stop technology. Moreover, this powerplant is way lighter than its 2.2-liter turbo diesel predecessor and reduces friction by 17 percent, ensuring a smoother operation.

Aerospace-inspired technologies are at the core of the BMW 3 Series fighter from the United Kingdom. Building up on the aluminum construction of the XJ, XK and F-Type, the XE gets a new aluminum alloy (RC 5754) for a light, strong and exceptional stiff architecture. Coupled to a suite of "highly advanced suspension systems," Jaguar tells that the XE will "will combine outstanding design with benchmark levels of ride and handling – it will be the true driver’s car in the segment."

Although Jaguar and Land Rover are owned by Indian automaker Tata these days, the XE was designed and engineered in the U.K. and it's the first Jaguar vehicle to be manufactured at a new purpose-built production facility at the Solihull plant in the West Midlands. Don't know about you, but the new Jag compact sport sedan shapes up to be a pretty nice car.

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About the author: Mircea Panait
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After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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