Forty grand turismo

ORGET THE X-TYPE, the made-over
F
Mondeo that was supposed to take Jaguar to
300,000 units a year but struggled to sell half
its predicted volumes. This time Jag is taking
things seriously. Based on a cut down version
of the new XF’s platform, the rear- (and
eventually four-) wheel drive XE is powered
by a brand new range of engines, features
fancy double-wishbone front suspension
and a body made almost entirely from aluminium.
It has a new multimedia system, the first electric power
steering Jag has deemed worthy of putting in a production car
and sophisticated traction management to deal with snowy
conditions. Like we said, forget the X-type.
But even with an arsenal like that the XE has got its work cut
out, both in the showroom and up here in the mountainous
Basque region of northern Spain. Mercedes’ new C-class has
completely shaken the sector up by refocusing on comfort and
luxury. A proper junior S-class, it’s the only car in the class to offer
air-sprung suspension. And let’s not forget the 3-series. A sales
titan, it’s got every angle covered, but always with an eye on handling
over luxury. For this test though, we picked its 4-series Gran
Coupe brother. Fractionally sharper in style and dynamic terms,
its lift-back boot gives it a practical advantage over the 3-series, but
most of what we’ll be talking about here applies to the 3-series too.
These are heartland company cars. Jaguar has been surprised
by early demand for the 197bhp and 237bhp 2.0 petrols (there’s
a punchy 335bhp 3.0 supercharged V6 from the F-type available
too), but although there’s uncertainty over the future of oil burners
in the UK’s new NOx-conscious climate, diesel, and the low
CO2 numbers it allows, is still king. When picking an XE that
means a choice between 161bhp and 178bhp versions of Jag’s
new Ingenium engine family, and six-speed manual or eightspeed
ZF auto transmissions. XEs start at less than £27,000, but
mating the quicker diesel with the auto ’box and racey-looking
R-Sport trim bumps that to £34,775. Its opposite number from
Mercedes is the £34,770 168bhp C220 BlueTEC in AMG Line
trim, while BMW has fielded the 420d M Sport, which delivers
187bhp for £37,185 – a steep £3720 more than you’d pay for the
mechanically equivalent, if more spartan 3-series saloon.
Ironically, it’s the least expensive car that really oozes that
premium feel. The C-class isn’t universally handsome. The rear
looks a little droopy and the profile, with the interior shifted
so far backwards it makes a Bugatti Royale look like a 1990s
cab-forward Chrysler concept car, is plain odd. But the threequarter
angles are gorgeous and this car’s diamond silver paint
highlights every single nuance of the design, the coving in the
doors and contours of the AMG Line bumpers with their faux
mesh inserts, and entirely fake twin tailpipes (the real pipe is a
limp, downturned single skulking under the boot floor).
InUs, iminullique
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tet alitam evelest,
venis molent,
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fugiti cumetur?
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June 2015 | CARMAGAZINE.CO.UK 109