Moderns
The Modern Saloons Register of the JDCA contains all the 'compact' saloons built by Jaguar since 1999. The modern 'S-Type', the 'X-Type' and 'XF' models. In 2015 the 'XE' model was introduced and since then the SUV line of cars has been launched - the F-Pace, E-Pace and the innovative, all-electric I-Pace. These cars have been extremely important to the development of Jaguar and instrumental to the ongoing success of the marque in the 21st century.
The modern saloons are seen by many as the most practical and reliable cars that Jaguar have built during any era of the company's existence and have brought many new customers to the Jaguar brand. Also; many long-time owners of fine classic model Jaguars own a modern saloon as their daily driver.
When you are behind the wheel of a modern Jaguar saloon there is no mistaking the kind of car you are in, 'Grace, Space and Pace' are still combined for a most refined and pleasurable driving experience. Short histories of each modern saloon model follow;
S-Type (New Series) 1999- 2007
Inspired by classic Jaguar compact saloons of the 1960's (the Mk II and original S Type) this retro/modern model was released to the public in 1999. Styled by Geoff Lawson to be unlike any other current mid-size luxury car the modern 'S' invoked the curvaceous and rounded lines of Jaguar's iconic compacts. From the oval grille, twin round headlights and curved roof-line with rear door 'quarter lights' this car could only be a Jaguar. Initially released in new 3.0 ltr V6 and Jaguar 'AJ' 4.0 ltr V8 variants It caused quite a stir when first seen, but also a mixed reception from the media. Produced during Ford's stewardship of Jaguar some purists bemoaned that it used the floorpan produced for the US Lincoln model and the 'duratec' engine block (but with Jaguar heads, etc) for the V6. However most would have to admit the cars benefited from Ford's push for modern quality control and reliability.
The original interior also caused some controversy, though woodgrain and leather were in abundance the lack of a traditional style console irked some, Jaguar listened and from late 2002 the dash and console were paradoxically 'updated' to be 'more traditional'. By this time it had become Jaguar's most successful model in the range and soon could be had with a 2.7 ltr diesel. The 'Sport' and soon to be released 'R' supercharged variants appealed to a much needed younger market. The 'Sport' introduced handling improvements and modern colour coded styling while the 'R' took it further with a blown 4.2 ltr V8 making it Jaguar's fastest ever saloon for some years and still a highly desirable car to own.
In 2004 the S-Type was given a mild exterior facelift which would see it out to 2007 when production ended. These days low mileage S-Types can be had for bargain money and present an excellent way to gain entry into the pleasures of Jaguar ownership. A number of club members use the S-Type in the Sporting Register track days (Supersprints).
X-Type
Released in 2001 the new X-Type bravely went where Jaguar had never been before, the small luxury saloon market. This was motivated by the appeal of smaller cars with better economy for much of the motoring public as well as the need to attract young drivers to the marque. Like it's main competitors Jaguar saw the need for a 'family' of car models that would induce young buyers to start with an X-Type and loyally work their way up through the range as they got older. Pitched as a rival to the BMW '3 series' and Audi A4 the hope was that the 'X' would target a 'New Jag Generation'.
Like the S-Type the X had input from Ford and was based on the Mondeo platform which again caused much angst for purists. However this model initially introduced 4 wheel drive, a new innovation for Jaguar and the 3.0 ltr and a smaller 2.5 ltr version of the V6 of the 'S'. Design wise the body style looked very 'XJ', indeed the car has been called 'the baby XJ' and some design features would find their way to the X-350 model XJ in 2003. S-Type features were included, like enveloping bumpers and the latest body pressing technology.
The interior is every bit as luxurious as the 'S'. Also like the S-Type it was offered in a 'Sport' variant and a diesel motor was later available rated at 2.2 ltr. In another first for Jaguar the X-Type was also produced as an 'Estate Car' (station wagon) but this variant is extremely rare in Australia. X-Type production ceased in 2009. Like the 'S' the 'X' is currently available on the used car market for bargain prices. The new 'XE' has rekindled the small car segment for Jaguar that the X-Type began.
XF
The genesis of what Jaguar is today began with the XF. A new owner (Tata Motors) and a new designer, Ian Callum, produced a car that firmly took Jaguar into the 21st century. Incorporating the latest technologies for production and on-board systems the XF dazzled the media and general motoring public with it's introduction in 2008. Initially offered with the same 3.0 ltr V6 and 4.2 ltr V8 motors as the S-Type it also gained a modified 2.7 ltr Diesel in 2009.
Since then the XF has used a 3.0 ltr diesel and the 5.0 ltr V8 motors. Since 2012 a 2.2 ltr diesel was offered and a "Sportbrake" version manufactured. The Sportbrake was not launched in Australia but was in New Zealand. Nowadays Jaguar/Land Rover's Ingenium line of petrol and diesel engines is used in the XF. The XF's body styling was revolutionary for Jaguar, a 4 door with a coupe style roof and rear, this would later influence the latest XJ and will also be seen in the new XE. The interior was also a break with tradition using the latest modern design and sophistication of 'less is more' by hidden features like air-con vents and a rotary selector for the transmission. But there is still leather and woodgrain to be had and it is elegantly fused within this modern style. In 2017 the XF underwent a significant model refresh.
Model variants have included the 'Luxury', 'Premium Luxury' and 'Portfolio' models. Performance has also been addressed by the 'SV8', 'XFR' and 'XFR-S' variants which boast incredible performance and handling. The XF is still a current model and with over 100 awards from prestigious motoring publications continues to be a massive success for Jaguar.
XE
Introduced in 2015, the XE is the foundation of the Jaguar saloon car range. A distillation of the design, luxury and technology found in XF and XJ. The XE range features an extended engine choice, including the new 2.0 litre 4 cylinder 250PS turbocharged Ingenium petrol engine and 2.0 litre 4 cylinder 240PS twin turbocharged Ingenium diesel engine. They both offer effortless performance with low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. At either end of the power scale there is 163PS turbocharged Ingenium diesel or the uprated 3.0 litre 380PS V6 supercharged petrol engine XE is an exceptional blend of technology, design, and driving dynamics that rewrites all the rules. In 2018 the Special Vehicles Project 8 version with a 5 litre supercharged V8 was manufactured in a limited run.
Recently the XE range has been simplified in Australia with one engine choice, the P300 ingenium 4 cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, R-Dynamic only, and two trim levels, SE and HSE.
The XE is based around Jaguar’s Lightweight Aluminium Architecture giving its designers the freedom to work alongside engineers to optimise the car's proportions. The XE also introduced Jaguar's All Surface Progress Control (ASPC) technology to cope with low traction situations.
F-Pace
The F-Pace is a compact luxury crossover SUV, the first model to be built by Jaguar in the SUV class. It was formally announced at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, with sales beginning in 2016. The design of the F-Pace is based on the 2013 Jaguar C-X17 concept car. The 2017 Jaguar F-PACE has been named the honorary winner of the 2017 World Car of the Year and World Car Design of the Year Awards at the New York International Auto Show. Jaguar Chief Designer Ian Callum was the exterior designer for the F-Pace. The body structure comprises 80 per cent aluminium, and additional weight savings come from the composite tailgate and magnesium for parts such as the cross-car beam. The body's high torsional stiffness enables the double wishbone front suspension and Integral Link rear suspension to perform even better. Torque vectoring and an electric power assisted steering system are standard.
The F-Pace is built at JLR's Solihull plant along with the XE and is offered with the Ingenium 2.0L turbocharged diesel and 2.0L petrol turbocharged engines, available in Prestige, Portfolio and R-Sport specifications, while the 3.0L turbocharged diesel and supercharged petrol are available in the S and First Edition specifications. The F-Pace is manufactured in both RWD and AWD variants.
E-Pace
The E-Pace is a smaller version of the F-Pace officially revealed on 13 July 2017 and was the 2nd production Jaguar SUV. Designed again by Ian Callum, the car is based on a modified version of the JLR D8 platform as used by the Range Rover Evoque and the Land Rover Discovery Sport. The car is built in Graz, Austria, by Magna Steyr and powered by the Ingenium range of petrol and diesel engines.
The car has a transverse front engine and is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions. Stunt driver Terry Grant performed a world record barrel roll jump in the car for the reveal which took place at the London ExCel centre. The car did a 270 degree barrel roll and travelled 50 feet (15.3 metres) through the air.
I-Pace
The I-Pace is a fully-electric, battery powered crossover. Deliveries of the I-Pace started late in 2018 after starring as competition car in the Jaguar Challenge at the 2018 Sydney Invictus Games. It is the first electric SUV from a premium European automaker. The I-Pace has a WLTP-rated range of 467 km and an EPA-rated range of 377 km with a wade depth of 50 cm. The rear boot holds 720 litres (25.3 cu ft)[14], along with 28 litres (1 cu ft) of front boot space.
The car has all-wheel drive via two motors powered by a 90kWh LG Chem lithium-ion battery comprising 40% of the car's cost, and the battery management system is developed by JLR. Each motor delivers 197 hp (147 kW) and 350 Nm of torque, for a total power of 395 hp (295 kW) and total torque of 700 Nm. The car is able to sprint from 0–100 km/h in 4.8 seconds, and to an electronically limited top speed of 200 km/h.
The battery contains 432 pouch cells instead of thousands of cylindrical cells. It can charge from 0%-80% in 85-minutes using DC charging (50kW). The battery can be charged at 100kW with DC Rapid Chargers, which enables a 0%-80% percent charge in 45 minutes. Home charging with an AC wall box (7kW) achieve the same state of charge in 10 hours.
