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2017 Jaguar XE

You've seen this movie before. Topple the BMW 3 Series has gone more rounds than The Fast and The Furious and The Transporter combined. But like any good cinematic retread, this time it's different. For starters, the latest installment is a zombie flick. Born from the ashes of Ford ownership and the failed X-Type, the 2017 Jaguar XE is coming to save us from the somnambulant, undead Bimmer. Think Army of Darkness with luxury sport sedans, and you'll understand what we're going for. Okay, the plot is only based on a true story. The reality in the automotive world isn't as dramatic as most car journalists would like you to believe. But the XE is hugely important for Jaguar's desire to increase global production. You're looking at the future best-selling model. It's built on an all-new body structure that forms the basis for all the brand's upcoming sedans. The smallest, most affordable Jaguar also launches with a new engine family, built in a new factory in England. The XE arrives stateside in early 2016 with two available engines. A 2.0-liter diesel from the new Ingenium lineup is the entry-level model. Above that is the supercharged 3.0-liter V6 familiar to the Jaguar and Land Rover lineup. A turbo 2.0-liter gas engine will come in below the diesel at a later date, with an optional manual transmission. The XE versions on launch will offer rear- or all-wheel-drive. Pricing information is yet to be revealed. Until then, just assume the XE will mimic its competitors for price and content. We spent most of our time driving the 35t with R-Sport trim, but check back for a driving impression of the diesel in a few days. As we reported in our prototype drive of the XE earlier this year, this car has incredible steering feel. It's the supernatural aid in the XE's monomyth if any film buffs are still paying attention. The electrically assisted system ranks in the hall of fame with the rack on the current Porsche 911 Carrera. Lightly weighted, the loads build up in the steering wheel like it's wired to strain gauges on the sidewall of the front tires. It's not just good programming that makes the XE steer so well, although that's a big part. The rest comes from the chassis. Jaguar engineers claim the double wishbone front suspension uses lessons learned from the F-Type. The rear part of the car's quick responses comes from a multi-link setup Jag calls integrated link. A body 20-percent stiffer than the current XF also contributes to sharp reflexes.

The first Jaguar Project 7 is the new kid in Harry's Garage

The Jaguar Project 7 is more than just an F-Type with a dab more power and a special body, and Harry Metcalfe (who advises Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations, which built the car) is here to show us why. This limited-production model is something truly special, and despite Metcalfe's role with JLR it's hard to misinterpret the enjoyment in his eyes when the supercharged V8 roars. Metcalfe's Project 7 is number one of just 250 cars built and wears a British Racing Green body with orange accents around the nose, mirrors, brake calipers, and underneath the rear spoiler – classic sports car style with a little modern flash. His example is also special because the entire build team signed the area underneath the trunk lid. While the engine comes up to temperature during his drive, Metcalfe shows that the Project 7 can be a fine grand tourer, and he eventually puts the throttle down to let his audience here the sublime engine. Metcalfe claims the limited edition Jag actually has too much horsepower but he means that in the best way possible. Driving it reminds him of being behind the wheel of his Pagani Zonda – a fine compliment for a grand tourer to be compared to an ultra-exotic supercar Find out why by taking a ride with Harry.

Evo pits Jaguar XKR-S vs. Mercedes SL63 AMG in heavyweight droptop fight

We recently received the sad news that the Jaguar XK is ceasing production by the end of the year, but what better way to bid it farewell than with some big, smoky powerslides? The retirement of the sporty GT isn't actually the topic of the latest video from Evo - it's on hand to compete against the Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG to see which is faster around a track. Still, we can think of it as a wonderful sendoff for the Jag.
Both convertible grand tourers get their laps around the course, and they couldn't be more different. Driver Jethro Bovingdon gets some grins out of them both, but absolutely giggles while behind the wheel of the XKR-S convertible. The SL63 AMG is the more powerful of the two, but as we know, that doesn't always matter at a racetrack. You'll just have to scroll down and watch the video to see which of them is actually the winner.