New Jaguar XE will get the V6 engine from the F-Type

Jaguar has revealed that the new ‘baby’ Jaguar – the Jaguar XE – will be available with the V6 petrol engine from the F-Type.

We’re expecting the Jaguar XE – Jaguar’s new smaller saloon aimed at the BMW 3-Series – to arrive at the Paris Motor Show in September before going on sale in 2015 after Jaguar revealed the first official details on the XE at the Geneva Motor Show this month.

Jaguar were a little vague on detail, although they did confirm the XE would come with aluminium underpinnings – a first for the sector and to be shared with the new Jaguar SUV when that arrives – and offer Jaguar’s new range of 4-cylinder diesel and petrol engines.

But what Jaguar also said is that there will be a range-topping XE capable of 186 mph, which seemed a bit of a stretch for a 4-cylinder engine, however good.

But now we discover that the XE won’t just be offered with a choice of the new Ingenium 4-cylinder petrol and diesel engines – a move Volvo has taken across its range – but will also come with the 3.0 litre Supercharged V6 from the new F-Type, an engine we know delivers from 340 to 380 PS and a 0-62 mph of 5.1-4.8 seconds.

That augers well for a new Jaguar XE RS that can take the fight to the BMW M3 (and perhaps an XE Coupe before too long to tackle the M4) and give Jaguar the same wide range of options – from frugal to performance – as the 3-Series.