Jaguar XE, XF and F-Pace gain 296bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine

Jaguar has introduced a new turbocharged petrol engine option on three models – the XE and XF saloons plus the F-Pace SUV.

All three can now be fitted with a fresh 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol unit, producing 296bhp and 400Nm of torque. It’s the same engine available in the new £49,900 four-cylinder F-Type.

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The engine’s impact is felt most in the XE – the lightest and smallest car of the trio. With the new powerunit on board, Jaguar claims 0-62mph in 5.5 seconds while fuel economy comes in at 41.5mpg with CO2 emissions of 157g/km.

In the larger XF, 0-62mph takes 5.6 seconds with the 296bhp petrol. Fuel economy dips to 40mpg alongside 163g/km CO2. The F-Pace SUV now manages 0-62mph in six seconds flat, and Jaguar quotes 37mpg. The engine is exclusively mated to Jaguar’s eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.

Alongside the introduction of the new engine option, Jaguar has tinkered with the equipment and technology on-board all three models for the 2018 model year.

The XE and XF saloons can now both be specced with a gesture controlled boot lid, and are also available with Jaguar’s Configurable Dynamics tech, allowing drivers to alter gearbox, throttle and steering settings. All three cars get the firm’s latest driver assist and safety technology too, with new features such as forward vehicle guidance and traffic detection.

The new engine is available now. It'll cost £38,145 in the XE, £44,335 in the XF and £44,760 in the F-Pace.

Does 296bhp of turbocharged petrol power sound good to you? Let us know in the comments.