Automotive

Published on March 1st, 2016 | by Daniel Sherman Fernandez

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Jaguar XE 4×4 is the driver’s car in its class

• Enhanced all-weather traction and performance from torque on-demand all-wheel drive (AWD) system – Intelligent Driveline Dynamics preserves rear-wheel drive character and agility
• Adaptive Surface Response distinguishes between different types of surface for even more assured AWD traction in all conditions
• State-of-the-art InControl Touch Pro infotainment system with 10.2-inch tablet-style touchscreen offers intuitive operation, super-fast response times and intelligent navigation
• Wi-Fi hotspot for up to eight devices and a suite of connected services
• Apple Watch app offers remote functions including fuel level check, lock and unlock, and even remote engine starts
• Meridian Digital Surround Sound system with 17 speakers and 825W
• Already impressive range of advanced driver assistance systems gains Lane Keep Assist, Adaptive Speed Limiter and Driver Condition Monitor

The 2017 model year Jaguar XE 

The Jaguar XE, already established as the most dynamic sports saloon in the mid-size segment, once again sets new standards in driver reward and offers an even wider range of state-of-the art technology.

The XE has received myriad global awards thanks to its unrivalled balance of ride, handling and refinement. The light, stiff, Advanced Aluminium Architecture, sophisticated suspension and powerful, efficient engines make the XE the driver’s car in its class.

With the addition of InControl Touch Pro – Jaguar’s next-generation infotainment system, torque on-demand all-wheel drive, F-TYPE-derived Configurable Dynamics and a wider range of advanced driver assistance systems, the XE delivers an even more compelling drive.

InControl Touch Pro is state-of-the-art and is designed around a tablet-style 10.2-inch touchscreen featuring highly responsive, superb quality graphics. With intelligent navigation that can tell others if you’re running late, a Wi-Fi hotspot for up to eight devices and apps for wearable technology, the XE ensures that you’re always connected.

All-wheel drive (AWD) was engineered into the XE from day one. Available exclusively with the 180PS Ingenium diesel and the 340PS supercharged V6 petrol engines and eight-speed automatic transmissions, AWD enhances vehicle dynamics and provides greater traction. Torque is only transferred to the front wheels when needed, maintaining the XE’s inherent agility and rear-wheel drive character.

Adaptive Surface Response (AdSR) makes the AWD system even better by changing the mapping of the powertrain and Dynamic Stability Control system according to the conditions. AdSR leverages Jaguar Land Rover’s world-leading expertise in AWD technologies and traction systems.

Together with class-leading chassis design, the unique combination of AWD, AdSR and the revolutionary All Surface Progress Control system gives the driver greater confidence in adverse conditions. The XE is the definitive all-weather sports saloon.

First developed for the F-TYPE, Configurable Dynamics is now offered in the XE and enables the driver to tailor the car’s character by selecting individual settings for the throttle response, transmission shifts and the Adaptive Dynamics continuously-variable damping system.

The XE also benefits from an enhanced range of assistance systems including Lane Keep Assist and Driver Condition Monitor – a feature which can detect and warn against driver fatigue. The XE also offers the Adaptive Speed Limiter: an intelligent technology which can support the driver by increasing or decreasing vehicle speed when speed limits change.

ALL-WHEEL DRIVE

Available with the 180PS 2.0-litre diesel and supercharged 340PS 3.0-litre supercharged V6 petrol engines, Jaguar’s advanced torque on-demand all-wheel drive system and Intelligent Driveline Dynamics technology maintain the XE’s rear-wheel drive handling balance and agility while improving performance in all weather conditions.

The addition of all-wheel drive (AWD) to the range broadens the XE’s appeal still further by maximising the performance and handling benefits of the extra traction, particularly in adverse conditions. The XE is a true all-weather sports saloon.

Like the all-new XF and F-PACE, the XE uses a torque on-demand AWD system featuring a transfer case with a multi-plate wet clutch pack and a chain drive to the front propshaft. It’s a very fast-acting system and can make the transition from purely rear-drive to all-wheel drive in just 165 milliseconds.

In normal driving, all of the engine’s torque is sent to the rear axle, preserving the XE’s rear-wheel drive dynamics, and ensuring that steering feel remains uncorrupted – this would not be possible with permanent all-wheel drive. Such systems also suffer from higher parasitic losses.

How much torque is transferred, and when, is determined by Intelligent Driveline Dynamics (IDD) – a highly sophisticated control technology developed and calibrated entirely in-house and first used on the F-TYPE AWD.

Taking data from the XE’s yaw rate, lateral acceleration and steering wheel angle sensors, IDD continuously estimates the friction between the tyres and the road, and also how much of the available grip is being exploited at each tyre contact patch. IDD is smart and can apply predictive, feed-forward control strategies as well as reactive, feedback control. IDD is also networked to the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system, the torque vectoring system and Jaguar Drive Control to make the AWD system even more effective.

If IDD predicts that the rear axle is approaching the limit of available traction, torque is transferred to the front axle. Torque can also be transferred to the front axle to help mitigate oversteer during fast cornering by providing yaw damping.

Adaptive Surface Response: Intelligent all-wheel drive

The AWD system is made even more effective with the option of Adaptive Surface Response (AdSR). Developed from Jaguar Land Rover’s world-leading, award-winning Terrain Response technology, AdSR adapts the maps of the throttle, transmission and DSC system according to the type of surface, helping the driver to make smooth progress and drive with greater confidence even in the most challenging conditions.

AdSR replaces the Rain, Ice, Snow mode in the Jaguar Drive Control and operates throughout the XE’s entire speed range. AdSR delivers even finer optimisation of the vehicle’s systems to make the most of the available traction.

Automatic transmissions:  Selecting the best 

The AWD system is available exclusively with the peerless ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. Two specifically-optimised versions of this highly efficient and smooth-shifting transmission are available in the XE: the supercharged V6 is matched to the 8HP70, while the Ingenium diesel is paired with the lighter, more compact 8HP45.

POWERTRAIN

The clean, powerful and refined Ingenium diesel engine is Jaguar’s first diesel to be sold in North America. Developed from the very beginning to meet stringent US emissions standards, this 180PS four-cylinder delivers benchmark fuel economy with 430Nm for strong acceleration whenever the driver demands it, and is available with rear- and all-wheel drive.

Designed and manufactured in-house, the XE’s state-of-the-art, all-aluminium 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel – already proven in Europe – will now be available in North America. Featuring a wealth of advanced technologies to ensure that it is as clean and responsive as it is smooth and quiet, this world-class engine provides a superb blend of performance and fuel economy.

Systematic friction reduction throughout, combined with features such as the split-cooling system, variable flow coolant pump, mapped thermostat and switchable piston cooling jets make the Ingenium diesel inherently efficient by cutting parasitic losses and ensuring a rapid warm up from cold. Variable exhaust cam timing also helps the aftertreatment system to reach operating temperature quickly.

Applying learning from Jaguar Land Rover’s V6 diesel programmes for North America, the calibration of the 180PS Ingenium engine was optimised to the last detail to deliver truly outstanding throttle response. The variable geometry turbocharger delivers high levels of boost pressure from low engine speeds, and together with the highly precise 1,800bar common rail injection system, enables maximum torque output of 430Nm to be developed from just 1,750rpm. This provides the XE with strong launch performance and superb mid-range flexibility.

The high-pressure exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system now features a cooler to make it even more effective, and together with cooled low-pressure EGR and the highly efficient selective catalytic reduction system, this helps the Ingenium engine to meet EPA Tier3-160 and California LEVIII-160 exhaust emissions standards, which are among the most stringent in the world.

ADVANCED DRIVER ASSTSTANCE SYSTEMS

The XE offers even more technology than ever to support the driver and help make every journey safer and more relaxing.

The state-of-the-art stereo camera at the heart of the XE’s Autonomous Emergency Braking, Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) systems also provides the intelligence for the new Adaptive Speed Limiter (ASL) feature. This uses TSR data to adjust the set point, and can automatically increase or decrease the vehicle’s speed while the accelerator pedal is pressed. If a higher speed limit is detected, the ASL system notifies the driver and can smoothly accelerate the vehicle up to the new limit. If the new speed limit is lower, the vehicle can be slowed down accordingly.

Lane Keep Assist (LKA) system builds on the functionality of the LDW system: if LKA determines that the vehicle is likely to drift out of its lane it can guide the driver back towards the centre by using the electric power-assisted steering system to apply a small amount of counter-steering. The amount of torque applied to the steering wheel is slight and can be easily over-ridden.

Tiredness is often a factor when drivers unintentionally leave their lane, and the XE can support them here too. Driving when tired is often characterised by periods of little or no steering input at all, followed by sudden and sometimes excessive inputs when the driver reacts. The Driver Condition Monitor system recognises this behaviour and, by also studying the use of the brake and accelerator pedals and the direction indicators, can encourage the drive to take a break by showing a multi-stage warning in the instrument cluster.

About the Author

Daniel Sherman Fernandez www.dsf.my is a service to the public and other website owners. www.dsf.my is not responsible for, and expressly disclaims all liability for, damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance on any information contained within the site www.dsf.my. While the information contained within the site is periodically updated, no guarantee is given that the information provided in this website is correct, complete, and up-to-date. www.dsf.my is not responsible for the accuracy or content of information contained inside.

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