Lightweight Jaguar EX to average 75 mpg and emit less than 100 g/km of CO2

Jaguar is proving the fuel-saving benefits of reducing the weight of its cars, with new figures showing that its forthcoming XE compact executive saloon should average more than 75 mpg and emit less than 100 g/km of CO2.

Using recycled aluminium, Jaguar has invented a new alloy from which it is building its fifth generation bodyshell technology to deliver world-beating eco-performance, as well as what it says will be class leading refinement and handling.

Bonded and riveted aluminium structures are not new – it is how the aerospace industry has been making planes for years – but Jaguar leads the field among mass producers and uses the technology in its XJ, XK and F-Type models.

Dr Mark White, Jaguar's Chief Technical Specialist, said: "The Jaguar XE body uses over 75 per cent aluminium content, which far exceeds any other car in its class.

"This gives us a body structure with unrivalled low weight: it's light but also immensely strong. We've made sure our aluminium-intensive body structure exceeds all global safety standards, without compromising on vehicle design or refinement."

The new grade of high strength aluminium, RC 5754, has been developed specifically for the XE. It features a high level of recycled material and makes a significant contribution to Jaguar's goal of using 75 per cent recycled material by 2020.

The XE gets its public unveiling in London on September 8, and will be the first Jaguar to be manufactured at a new purpose-built production facility at the company's Solihull plant.