New XE with 'mild hybrid' technology

[Marineng]

I was just wondering if anyone has yet had experience of one of the new variants of the XE that includes the 'mild hybrid' feature?
If so has the experience been positive.
Paul Russell
JEC XE Coordinator

[mike020150]

If my local dealership is anything to go by, there are so few new cars around that it's struggle to find one to test drive. It will certainly be interesting to hear from anyone who's driven one of the mild hybrids and what impressions they left. Mike.

[Redhorse003]

Ordered a XE back in April, due to the lengthy delay due to the micro chip shortage I had to have a service which was due. ( trading in a E-Pace). Was kindly supplied with a XE hybrid by Hatfields of Hull and was very pleasantly surprised by the performance. I had a XE P300 on order and seriously considered cancelling and opting for the hybrid for two reasons. The performance and fuel consumption of over 60 mpg over the hundred or miles I enjoyed with the car. The only minor problem I had was with the spec it being a basic S. Don’t like the half and half design of the analog and screen dash. Looks like it was designed by two people who had fallen out. Very pleased with the new XE fantastic performance and averaged 36+ mpg from new, now done 2100 miles. One of that breed of cars that you don’t need a reason to drive.

[Marineng]

Excellent - thankyou for the information - I am hoping to put together an aritcle for the March edition of the JE magazine, about the last editions of the XE. I was looking through the specifications and was a bit frustrated to learn that the Mild Hybrid Technology did not come with the P300. Still it is really pleasing to hear about your enjoyment with the new car - the XE still has that charming character. Kind regards Paul

[Redhorse003]

Thank you for the kind comments. Could I add one further point regarding the hybrid which is the rate of deceleration. After the nine speed gear box of the E-Pace which would coast over a long distance with little loss of speed the hybrid made you lean into the seat belt no doubt due to energy regeneration. Once used to the difference it wasn’t a problem just different. It still had the same fantastic dynamics.
Prior to the E-Pace I had an XE V6 S of which the build quality was a little questionable. No such questions with this one even though 40bhp down on the S the reduction in weight seems to compensate and help front end adhesion. A P300 hybrid would give 350 bhp!!!!!
I like to think of the XE as a two plus two four door F TYPE. With the improvements to the turbo response is now very close to that of the supercharged XE, The ride is very compliant and much more comfortable than the E-Pace which was very stiff and bouncy with late understeer but still a very good car. It is an SUV after all. Any comments on the gear selector, I preferred the rotary one which seemed to fall to hand and being very intuitive to use.
Hope this has given you a few topics for your forthcoming article.