If the Jaguar XE sedan were a real cat, it would probably feel as if it were in a room full of rocking chairs right about now. A company insider recently said, “… Jaguar is not viable at 60,000 units [per year]. If the X760 fails, it will be probably be the end for the brand.”
X760 is the internal designation for the English automaker’s upcoming BMW 3 Series-fighter, the XE sedan. No pressure.
Fortunately, the metal kitten will have a lot with which to work. For instance, it will use the C-X17 concept’s all-aluminum architecture, which will also serve as a much-needed update to the XF’s 14-year-old Ford platform. Jaguar design boss Ian Callum said, “And I want to see if we can get a sports car off this platform, some kind of sports car, maybe a two-plus-two. The engine sits too high for a sports car at the moment, but who knows? It’s exciting.”
The XE’s rivet-bonded monocoque will be “future-proofed,” meaning it will accommodate a variety of engine and drivetrain configurations. “It’ll probably be the lightest in-class,” Callum said. Speaking of engines, the XE will launch with the brand-new Ingenium four-cylinder engine line-up. In the states, we can also expect something with six pistons.
But what about a V8 R model?
“That would an interesting proposition, wouldn’t it? Of course, you wouldn’t expect to see it in the initial phase … never say never,” Callum said.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
