2021 Jaguar XE and XF get new looks, new tech and diesel hybrid options

Jaguar has unveiled updated versions of its two executive saloons, bringing a visual refresh, new infotainment systems and new diesel-electric hybrid powertrains to its XE and XF models.

Priced from £32,585. the larger XF, which also sees updates to the Sportbrake estate, gets the most significant changes with enhanced exterior looks and an all-new interior.

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New front and rear bumpers and enlarged air intakes are designed to give the car a wider appearance, backed up by a broader grille and slimline all-LED headlights at the front and a body-coloured valance and smoked tail lights at the rear.

Interior changes are more significant, with an all-new cabin dominated by an 11.4-inch curved touchscreen housing Jaguar’s latest Pivi Pro media/navigation/connectivity software. The centre console has been completely redesigned to accommodate the new screen, along with a new gear selector and redesigned storage space. Every other element has also been rethought, from the door handles to the seats, which are broader, offered with massage, heating and cooling and include an embossed Jaguar logo on the headrests and “Est.1935 Jaguar Coventry” upholstery tags.

New technology includes the always-connected Pivi Pro system with over-the-air updates as well as 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, optional head-up display and ClearSight rear view camera/mirror. A new cabin air filtration system and active noise cancelling aim to improve cabin ambience while a 360-degree camera system is now standard across the range.

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The XF is available with a 2.0-litre petrol engine in two states of tune. A 247bhp version comes with rear-wheel drive while a 296bhp version is all-wheel-drive as standard. Both use an eight-speed automatic transmission.

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Replacing the 178bhp 2.0-litre diesel in the XF is a new i4 mild-hybrid diesel using a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and a belt integrated starter generator. The new engine offers a jump in power to 201bhp while returning a 13 per cent improvement in emissions and 14 increase in fuel efficiency compared with the old four-cylinder diesel. Economy is as high as 57.2mpg and CO2 emissions are 130g/km for the two-wheel-drive saloon.

The same engine is also available in the updated XE saloon. In the smaller model, it returns up to 58.5mpg and 127g/km CO2 emissions. Like the XF, the hybrid comes with rear-wheel drive and shares the same eight-speed automatic gearbox as the rest of the range.

The XE also gets the 247bhp and 296bhp version of the 2.0-litre petrol which, like the XF are rear-wheel- and all-wheel-drive respectively.

Other changes to the XE are more minor, with the addition of Pivi Pro the most significant addition along with a revised digital instrument display with new graphics and configuration options. The XE also gets the same air purification system as the XF, along with a new split-rim steering wheel and new upholstery options for the seats.

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Prices for the XE start at £30,205 for the diesel hybrid S trim, rising to £40,140 for the 296bhp petrol R-Dynamic HSE as part of a simplified range that has cut the line-up from 24 to 13 derivatives.

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