CAT DIESEL
2017 Jaguar XE 20d AWD Prestige

Words and pictures by Harvey Schwartz No, not the Catepillar tractor. This cat belongs to Jaguar, and it’s turning up the heat with the introduction of the Ingenium modular designed 2.0 liter diesel, an all-aluminum, direct-injected, turbo-charged four-cylinder engine, making 180 horses and 318 pound-feet of torque. Mated to an 8-speed paddle-shift ZF transmission turning all four wheels, the EPA says the XE diesel gets 26 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway. The diesel powered XE feels and behaves just like the 2.0 liter gasoline powered sedan. The interior is virtually the same as in all three Prestige models and the only exterior difference is the single, polished stainless steel exhaust outlet on the lower right side.

The light and stiff aluminum-intensive construction saves weight with added agility when cornering. Together with the lighter structure, electro-mechanical power rack & pinion steering with double wishbone front suspension and an Integral Link rear axle, driving the XE diesel is a pleasure whether just cruising, smoothly riding over poorly surfaced roads or cutting through curving asphalt. Slowing the all-new XE 20d diesel down from speed are large, signature Jaguar power brakes. Up front are 13.7 inch discs clamped with dual-piston calipers and 12.7 inch rear discs clamped with large, single-piston caliper. The braking system includes ABS, EBD and BA for a safer ride in all weather and road conditions. The new XE diesel rides on Continental ProContact 225/45R18 inch all-season tires wrapped around 8X18 inch 5-spoke aluminum wheels.

Safety while driving is important to Jaguar and the XE diesel doesn’t disappoint. I tested the Prestige model that came with Instinctive AWD, All-Surface Progress Control, and Jaguar Drive Control with 4-driving modes, Torque Vectoring and DSC. The XE diesel Prestige also comes standard with 10-way heated front sport bucket seats, leather seating surfaces, adaptive cruise control, dual map lights, dual climate control, driver memory, power-remote trunk opener, power-folding, heated and self-dimming sideview mirrors, self-dimming rearview mirror, heated/power tilt/telescoping/leather-wrapped steering wheel, Smart Key with Keyless Entry, power moonroof, rearview camera, InControl Touch Navigation, a 330-watt Meridian Surround Sound system and HD radio with Bluetooth.

Options aboard included a Vision Package with Xenon headlights with LED signature, headlight power washers, Intelligent High-Beam Assist, front/rear parking sensors, Blind Spot monitor, Reverse Traffic Detection, Glacier White Metallic paint and Sirius radio. The all-new Jaguar XE 20d with AWD is the way to go for luxury and higher fuel economy without losing out on the exceptional Jaguar attributes. © Words and pictures by Harvey Schwartz For more information about Jaguar products, go to jaguarusa.com.

SPECIFICATIONS Name of vehicle: 2017 Jaguar XE AWD Diesel Prestige Price: $45,400.00 (base) $46,395.00 (as tested, including destination) EPA fuel economy rating: 26 mpg city/ 39 mpg highway Engine: 2.0 Liter, direct-injected, all-aluminum turbocharged four-in-line Horsepower: 180 at 4,000 rpm Torque: 318 pound-feet at 4,000 rpm

Transmission: 8-speed automatic with paddle shifters and four driving modes Steering: Electro-mechanical, power rack and pinion Suspension: Front independent double wishbone Rear independent integral link with electronic torque vectoring Brakes: Front 13.7 inch with dual piston calipers Rear 12.7 inch with single piston caliper ABS/EBD/BA Wheels and tires : 8X18 inch aluminum wheels with 225/45R18 all season tires Dimensions Length: 183.9 inches Width: 72.8 inches Height: 55.7 inches Curb weight: 3,360 pounds EPA size classification*: Compact car * Passenger car classes are designated by the EPA based on interior volume index or seating capacity, except the ones classified as special vehicle. A two-seater is classified as a car with no more than two designated seating positions.