► Four-wheel drive now available
► Better InControl Touch Pro connectivity
► Full specs and details of 2016 XE
The new Jaguar XE has only been around since summer 2015 but already Coventry is rolling out the 2016 model year ‘facelift’. Actually, facelift is too strong a word as this is more about equipment and spec upgrades than any physical design changes.
Key changes to the BMW 3-series rival unveiled at the 2015 Los Angeles show include:
- Four-wheel drive now offered
- AWD comes with 2.0-litre 180 diesel
- Infotainment improvements with 10.2in touchscreen
- InControl Touch Pro has wi-fi hotspots
- Now syncs with wearables like iWatch
Jaguar XE AWD: the four-wheel drive system
Jag is slowly rolling out all-wheel drive across most of its range – and the XE saloon is no different. The AWD system is available only with the higher-powered diesel 2.0 D model with 178bhp; it remains rear-wheel drive most of the time, shuffling drive frontwards only when slip is detected at the back axle.
The on-demand 4wd set-up uses a transfer case with multi-plate wet clutch; Intelligent Driveline Dynamics electronics monitor grip at each wheel and the system can send drive to the front wheels in just 165ms, says Jaguar. Becuase the car runs as a RWD model in normal driving, steering feel is uncorrupted.
Also new is the Configurable Dynamics module, which lets drivers select different modes for throttle response, gearchanges and adaptive dampers.
The full Jag XE line-up
The following models are now available in the XE range. All the auto models use an eight-speed ZF gearbox:
- 163PS 2.0-litre diesel Manual/automatic RWD
- 180PS 2.0-litre diesel Manual/automatic RWD, automatic only AWD
- 200PS 2.0-litre petrol Automatic RWD
- 240PS 2.0-litre petrol Automatic RWD
- 340PS 3.0-litre petrol Automatic RWD
