Jaguar took the opportunity totear the drapes off its new XE model at its self-named Simola Hillclimb over the weekend (14-17 May 2015). Whilst the Jaguar XE was only a static reveal,the newRange Rover Sport SVR was let loose to ravage the 1.9km Hillclimb. Both cars were seen for the first time in SA as Jaguar Land Rover made the most of the excitement around the Simola Hillclimb.

Jaguar XE at the Hillclimb

The Jaguar XE is a very important vehicle for the British marque as it will finally go head to head again with the BMW 3-Series, Merc C-Class and the Audi A4 – to name just a few. Jag has dropped the X-Type name that previously competed in the segment and is leading with XE. There was much hype around the unveiling of the XE at the Hillclimb as Marius Roberts and Marc Lottering revealed details on the new model in a light-hearted manner. I was unable to see a thing as the crowd gathered so I had to wait for the car to make a parade run up the hill to get a good gander at it. To start with, it looks like a slightly smaller XF, which is a good looking car but I feel Jaguar could have done a bit more to make the XE look a little different from its bigger brother. Surely Jaguar doesn’t want to fall into the ‘Russian Doll’ or ‘cookie cutter’ scenario that has befallen a few other manufacturers lately.

South Africa will get access to all the three engines available in the XE globally. There arediesel and petrol models to choose from with the diesel being an all-new Ingenium version that can be ordered in auto or manual. It delivers 132 kW and 430 Nm and claims 5L/100km in the fuel economy stakes. The familiar 2-Litre petrol is available with 177 kW and 340 Nm. Then, at the top of the range, and set to compete with the likes of the BMW 335i and Audi S4, Jaguar has added a supercharged V6 with 250 kW and 450 Nm. That should be a worthy competitor in the segment.

Range Rover Sport SVR as fast as an F-Type

Fans of insane SUVs will remember our Cars.co.za video where we drag raced a Supercharged Range Rover against a crazy BMW X5 M50d. BMW has since launched the newX5 M in SA and now Range Rover has an adequate challenger in the form of the Nurburgring record-holding Range Rover Sport SVR. Unbelievably the monster SVR was able to climb the Simola Hillclimb in a similar time to the Jaguar F-Type V6 – both cars completed the Hillclimb in the mid-49s range with expert drivers behind the wheel. There’s still a few months until the launch of the Range Rover Sport SVR but judging by the amount of attention the mighty SUV garnered at the Hillclimb, the SVR will be a massive hit with its 405 kW and 680 Nm of torque, not to mention the unbelievable acceleration that takes the SUV from 0-100kph in 4.7 seconds.

Jaguar Land Rover looks like it’s in for a big year having already launched the Land Rover Discovery Sport. The Jaguar XE, new XF and the Range Rover Sport SVR are still to hit SA soon.