UK – The XJ, XK and F-Type were all developed using bonded and riveted aluminium structures, but the new model “far exceeds” any other car in its class, says the OEM. Its maker describes the XE as “a product of Jaguar’s world-leading expertise in high-volume production of aluminium vehicles”.
The XE is based around a modular vehicle architecture and features an aluminium-intensive monocoque, made with a new grade of high-strength aluminium, RC 5754, which was developed specially. The alloy has a high level of recycled material, and will contribute significantly to the OEM’s goal of using 75% recycled material by 2020.
Commenting on the XE’s aluminium structure, Mark White, Jaguar’s chief technical specialist, Body Complete, said: “It’s light but also immensely strong with extremely high levels of torsional stiffness. We’ve made sure our aluminium-intensive body structure exceeds all global safety standards without compromising on vehicle design or refinement.”
The weight reduction enabled by the aluminium makes it the most fuel-efficient Jaguar yet made, with fuel consumption and CO2 emissions on the NEDC combined cycle of over 75mpg and less than 100g/km.
The XE will be the first Jaguar to be manufactured at a new, purpose-built facility at the OEM’s plant in Solihull, the West Midlands.