Aluminium intensive Jaguar XE aims to be the most frugal in class

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Jaguar has revealed more of what’s underneath the upcoming XE, following a preview of the new car’s chassis components two weeks ago.

Designed around Jaguar’s modular vehicle architecture, the XE is the only car in the class to use an aluminium-intensive monocoque, with lightweight aluminium accounting for 75 per cent of the structure.

With this milestone in body engineering, a product of Jaguar’s expertise in high-volume production of aluminium vehicles, the new Jaguar XE aims to be the new benchmark for ride and handling in a segment long dominated by established nameplates such as the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

The Jaguar XJ, XK and F-Type have all been developed using exceptionally stiff bonded and riveted aluminium structures, now the XE becomes the latest model to use this aerospace-inspired technology.

The weight reduction means the XE is the most fuel-efficient Jaguar yet with fuel consumption in the combined cycle of less than 4L/100km while emitting less than 100g/km of carbon dioxide.

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“The Jaguar XE body uses over 75% aluminium content, which far exceeds any other car in its class. This gives us a body structure with unrivalled low weight: it’s light but also immensely strong with extremely high levels of torsional stiffness. We’ve made sure our aluminium-intensive body structure exceeds all global safety standards without compromising on vehicle design or refinement.” said Dr Mark White, Jaguar’s Chief Technical Specialist.

The Jaguar XE’s aluminium-intensive body is not only unique, but the structure also delivers exceptional torsional stiffness. The light but strong architecture incorporates highly advanced suspension systems aimed at delivering unparalleled levels of ride quality, handling and steering.

The Jaguar XE is also the first car in the world make use of a new grade of high strength aluminium called RC 5754 which has been developed specifically for the XE. This new alloy features a high level of recycled material and makes a significant contribution to Jaguar’s goal of using 75 per cent recycled material by 2020.

Designed and engineered in the UK, the XE will be the first Jaguar to be manufactured at a new purpose-built production facility at the company’s Solihull plant in the West Midlands in the UK.

The world premiere of the new Jaguar XE will be held in London on September 8th.

 

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