2017 Jaguar XE Small Sport Sedan To Offer Diesel Option At Start

The 2017 Jaguar XE sport sedan won't arrive in the U.S. until next year, but we already have details on the diesel powertrain that will be available at launch.

Jaguar previously discussed offering a diesel version of the XE in the U.S., and that model has now been confirmed for the car's launch here in Spring 2016.

Called the XE 20d, the diesel model sports a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 318 pound-feet of torque.

This engine is from Jaguar Land Rover's new Ingenium line of efficiency-focused four-cylinder units, which will eventually encompass multiple diesel and gasoline variants.

While European models will get a six-speed manual option, an eight-speed automatic will be the only transmission offering in the U.S. Rear-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive as an option.

Jaguar says the U.S.-spec XE 20d will do 0 to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds, and reach a top speed of 140 mph.

2017 Jaguar XE

It also claims the diesel sedan will be the most fuel-efficient Jaguar ever sold in the U.S., although EPA fuel-economy ratings will have to wait until closer to the XE's U.S. launch.

Jaguar has said the manual-transmission, rear-wheel drive XE diesel will get 62 mpg, but that's on the highly optimistic European testing cycle.

The other engine option available at launch will be a 3.0-liter supercharged gasoline V-6--the same engine used in the F-Type sports car and several other Jag models.

This engine produces 340 hp and 332 lb-ft in the XE 35t model, allowing for a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.9 seconds, and a top speed of 155 mph.

Like the diesel, the V-6 will only be offered with an eight-speed automatic, and either rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

Helping both the XE's sporting credentials and its efficiency is a body that's 75 percent aluminum.

2017 Jaguar XE

Jaguar says that's a best-in-class figure for aluminum use. The main alloy used also contains a high level of recycled material.

Sometime after the launch of the diesel and supercharged V-6 models, Jaguar will likely fill out the engine lineup with some middle-ground choices.

That could include a more more powerful version of the Ingenium diesel, and a four-cylinder gasoline version based on the same architecture.

When it arrives here next spring, the XE 20d will mainly compete against the BMW 328d--the only other diesel sedan of a similar price and size currently on sale.