Jaguar Canada announced today that its forthcoming 2016 XE compact sedan will be priced at $45,000 in diesel-powered 20d trim, and $48,500 for the 35t model, with its supercharged gasoline V6 engine.
Both MSRPs refer to the entry-level Premium trim; 20d and 35t models will also be offered in Prestige and R-Sport, and all XEs will have standard AWD.
The diesel engine is a 2.0L four-cylinder Jaguar dubs “Ingenium.” Its 180-hp rating roughly matches that of the 2.0L diesel in BMW’s 328d, but boasts a bonus of nearly 40 lb-ft of torque, at 318 lb-ft. Meanwhile, the supercharged V6 makes 340 hp and 332 lb-ft, which gives it 20 hp and 2 lb-ft more than the uprated 3.0L turbo six-cylinder going into Bimmer’s 2016 340i model.
Jaguar says the new diesel is capable of fuel consumption as low as 3.7 L/100 km (downhill and in the frictionless vacuum of space, maybe), but ratings of 8.0/6.0 (city/highway) are a realistic expectation.
BMW recently announced pricing for 2016 editions of the 3 Series, and the XE undercuts the Bimmer’s competitive models significantly: a diesel XE is $3,200 less than a 328d, while the XE 35t comes in $6,000(!) below the 340i xDrive’s pricetag. A true comparison will have to wait until Jaguar provides full specs and features (not to mention option pricing) on its new compact, but it’s clear the British brand is keen on stealing the Bavarians’ thunder.
Jaguar says the XE will roll into Canadian showrooms in Spring 2016.
