近日英国一家网站独家获得了捷豹XE图片和细节。作为捷豹旗下备受期待的车型之一，该车上市后将成为车厂搏击紧凑车型市场的利器，并对目前占领这部分市场的宝马3系，奥迪A4和奔驰C级形成强烈的挑战。捷豹XE将于2015年初上市。因为捷豹的设计团队再次展示了其魔幻般的设计！近年来，捷豹逐渐成为业界最具大胆创新思维和前瞻性的车厂之一。光彩照人的F-Type广受赞誉，而XE同样继承了其精髓。虽然捷豹在今年日内瓦车展发布了XE的部分前脸照片，包括圆润的矩形格栅，侵略性前保险杠和L形LED日间行驶灯，而这次还公布了车身其余部分的照片。从照片看，XE的侧面轮廓取自F-Type，车尾配备双排气尾管和硕大的合金轮圈，这进一步提升了其运动风格，而更低的车顶线条，更高的腰线和更短的前后悬使车辆整体感觉更粗壮，富有肌肉感。当然，这并不意味着新车的设计离经叛道。捷豹通过研究弄清了目前消费者的需求。捷豹设计总监Ian Callum表示，XE并非是一辆缩水版的XF，而是全面超越。它采用了捷豹家族的前脸，其余部分虽然采用全新设计但并未完全脱离品牌特性，因此能具备家族亲缘性。“全新”一词并不是能随便用的，但XE确是从头到脚都是重新开发的。这是捷豹首款采用全新iQ[Al]全铝平台打造的车型，捷豹将于2016年发布的首款SUV以及下一代XF和XE的轿跑车和旅行车版本也是基于该平台。捷豹表示，XE将比宝马3系更轻，更坚固，更灵活，该车可提供后驱和四驱，足以媲美宝马的xDrive技术并有大幅升级。虽然新一代奔驰C级在舒适性方面可以媲美S级，将于明年发布的新一代奥迪A4可提供绝佳的内饰品质，雷克萨斯IS外观设计很前卫，但在同级车型中只有XE可以在操控性方面媲美宝马3系。富有吸引力的时尚设计和凌厉的操控性离不开高效，强劲的引擎支持。这也是为什么捷豹向沃尔夫汉普顿新工厂砸下3.55亿英镑用于生产新的Ingenium系列引擎，该厂生产一台引擎仅耗时36秒！Ingenium系列引擎包括2.0升四缸涡轮增压汽油和柴油引擎，而后者的每公里二氧化碳排放量低于100克。而高性能的XER-S搭载一台542马力V8引擎，时速超过186英里（约合300公里），足以令新一代宝马M3相形见绌。此外，该车还将搭载取自F-Type的3.0升V6机械增压引擎，功率分别为335和375马力。捷豹还将在XE生命周期的后半部分推出混动版本。虽然XE可以说是捷豹家族中最小的成员，但它也是采用最多先进技术的车型。先进的双插臂铝制悬挂带有自适应减震系统，可提升行驶舒适性和操控平衡性，而电子机械式转向则有助于降低油耗并提供不同的转向比。另外，该车将拿掉以使用多年的信息娱乐系统，它在功能上已经落后对手很多。取代它的是取自C-X17概念车上的全尺寸触控显示屏，虽然这个显示屏已经不是最新的，但会进行升级，提升易用性并具备网络连接功能。
New Jaguar XE: exclusive pictures and details
The Jaguar XE is one of the most most eagerly anticipated cars in recent years, as it's Jaguar's attempt to take the fight to the compact executive class dominating BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Mercedes C Class.
Our latest images show how the Jaguar XE will look when it hits the showrooms in early 2015, and we reveal the car's secrets below...
Jaguar has reinvented itself with one of the boldest and most forward-thinking design departments in the industry. The gorgeous F-Type has received universal praise, and it’s no coincidence that the XE will trade heavily on its association.
While Jaguar released an official shot of the XE’s face at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2014 – previewing a rounded-off rectangular grille, aggressive front bumper and L-shaped LED signature – our exclusive images show how the rest of the body will look.
Side strakes lifted from the F-Type, twin exhausts and big alloys add a dash of sportiness, while the low roofline, rising waistline and short overhangs lend it a taut, muscular appearance.
It’s by no means a radical departure, but Jaguar’s research shows that’s not what buyers in this market are looking for. “It’s not just a shrunken XF; it’s more than that,” design director Ian Callum said. “You’ll see some similarities. We’ll be getting the face of the brand out there, but we haven’t taken the opportunity to radicalise the car in any way so you’ll see the family resemblance.”
Because it's light and agile
"All-new” is a term heard all too often, but the XE really is new from the ground up. It’s the first model to be based on Jaguar’s flexible new iQ[Al] aluminium chassis, which will also underpin an SUV from 2016, in addition to the next-generation XF and coupé and estate versions of the XE.
Jaguar promises the XE to be lighter, stiffer and more agile than the 3 Series, with the chassis engineered for rear and four-wheel drive, which matches BMW’s xDrive tech stride for stride.
While the new Mercedes C-Class might boast the ride comfort of an S-Class, the new Audi A4 (due in 2015) will offer superb interior quality and the Lexus IS has radical looks, only the XE has the credentials to challenge the 3 Series as the driver’s choice in this class.
Because it can emit less than 100g/km of CO2
Attractive styling and sharp handling are nothing these days without efficient engines to back them up. That’s why Jaguar has invested ￡355million in a new plant in Wolverhampton that's capable of producing one of the new Ingenium engines every 36 seconds.
The range consists of 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol and diesel engines, and the most efficient diesel promises CO2 emissions of less than 100g/km.
A hot 542bhp V8-powered XER-S version will be capable of over 186mph, and should make the new BMW M3 look slow, while Jaguar will also offer the 3.0-litre supercharged V6 from ?the F-Type.
Even more efficient hybrid options haven’t been ruled out later in the XE’s lifecycle, either.
Because it's loaded with new technology
It might be one of the smallest Jaguars ever, but the XE should also be the most technologically advanced.
Sophisticated double-wishbone aluminium suspension with adaptive dampers will take care of the ride and handling balance, while electromechanical steering will save fuel and offer variable ratio options.
The big news, though, is that Jaguar Land Rover will replace its ageing infotainment system – which trails rivals in terms of functionality.
The full-length touchscreen centre console seen in the C-X17 concept is still a generation away, but expect an easier-to-use set-up with new levels of online connectivity.