The largest sector of the fleet market, the medium luxury car sector, is dominated by three cars, the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and the Mercedes C-Class. If you really want to be fussy you can include the Mondeo and the Insignia.
These are the cars that Jaguar is gunning for with its new XE. Looking like a small XF, no bad thing in my opinion, the XE will make use of everything that Jaguar has learned in the last few years.
On the back of a phenomenal growth and profitability, mainly due to Chinese, Russian and Indian exports, Jaguar have invested in a new engine plant in Wolverhampton and invested heavily in aluminium technology. The first new engine out of the Wolverhampton factory will be the new Ingenium four cylinder diesels, initially for the XE but a sure shoehorn for the face lifted Evoque next year, including rumours of a 10, yes TEN speed gearboxes. The technology just keeps coming, with self-parking, lane sensing and an extremely complex anti-skid system that Jaguar claim can get the rear drive XE moving in snow.
The XE promises up to 70% aluminium in its build, with the new engine saving at least 65 kg. Aerodynamics is sure to be up with the best and it really is hard to see Jaguar not achieving their target of 70 mpg for the XE. In addition to the efficient diesels, I expect the XE to have a version of the V6 from the F-Type and maybe a V8 version to take on the BMW M3.
I am told that the XE will be price for price competitive with its main rivals but Jaguar UK are not taking orders yet.