Jaguar XE-R takes aim at BMW M3

BUOYED by one of the freshest product lines in the industry with the XE being joined by the brand-new F-Pace crossover and the second-generation XF by the end of this year – the British manufacturer intend to roll out halo editions that will appeal to well-heeled customers in key markets.

Jaguar also expects the new performance models to boost brand equity and legitimacy in the same way that the M3 and C63 have helped the 3 Series and C-Class.

The fastest XE at the car’s launch is the supercharged V6 S, which has 335bhp – the same output as the entry-level F-Type. This could also be joined by a diesel S using the 237bhp, 369lb ft V6 that’s already seen in the XF.

For the performance flagship, instead of using the F-Type S’s more powerful V6, which would still fall short of the M3’s power output, Jaguar is expected to slot in the V8 from the F-Type roadster to create the XE-R. That should have 488bhp, enough to slash the XE’s 0-62mph time down to well under 5.0sec.

Jaguar sources have confirmed that this V8 is actually easier to fit under the XE’s bonnet than the more upright Ford-sourced four-cylinder petrol motor and Jaguar Land Rover’s own In-Genuine four-cylinder diesel.

The S’s adaptive dampers will be retuned, giving the XE-R a much more focused chassis set-up, and the eight-speed ZF automatic transmission will be re-profiled for crisper, more aggressive shifts in manual mode.

The XE-R will probably cost £55,000 which is about 17million naira.

With this power plant, the XE-R will fulfill the role of taking on the M3 and the C63 while still allowing the potential for JLR’s Special Vehicle Operations to create its own hardcore edition.