India-bound Jaguar XE enters production in Solihull; Auto Expo launch likely - IAB Report

First Jaguar to be made at the 70 year old Solihull plant.

Jaguar Land Rover's Solihull manufacturing plant started production of the all-new Jaguar XE entry-level sedan yesterday. This is the first time a Jaguar model is being manufactured in this plant, which is responsible for Land Rover models like the Defender, Discovery, Range Rover and Range Rover Sport.

JLR infused 1.5 billion pounds in this plant to manufacture models based on its new aluminium-intensive architecture. The Jaguar F-Pace SUV, set to be revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show this year, will also be made at this plant as a result.

The XE will be offered initially with 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, and a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 petrol engine. The diesel engine is from JLR's new Ingenium engine family and comes in power states of 163 PS and 180 PS. The 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol on the other hand is offered with 200 PS or 240 PS, while the range-topping V6 produces 340 PS, similar to the base F-Type.

The XE will be paired to 6-speed manual and 8-speed automatic transmissions, though its the latter that will be offered for the Indian market.

Also read: India-bound 2016 Jaguar XF debuts at New York Auto Show

JLR India plans to launch the XE in February 2016 at the Auto Expo, according to reports. While initial cars would be CBUs, the Tata-owned luxury car maker plans on assembling the XE at its Pune plant, just as it does with the XF, XJ, Land Rover Freelander and Range Rover Evoque.

Rivals: Mercedes C Class, BMW 3 Series, Audi A4
Expected Price: INR 32-38 lakhs, ex-Showroom
Launch date: February 2016 in India

Jaguar XE Enters Production - Press Release

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