Jaguar XE Will Arrive in US With Manual Transmission
When Jaguar’s latest-and-greatest sedan arrives on American shores next spring, it will do so with an extra option on the order sheet — a manual transmission.
According to Car & Driver, the Jaguar XE will get a third pedal and a stick in the middle of the center console that does things. Apparently, there are still enough people out there that know what to do with that thing in the center console that Jaguar believes it will make up between 10 and 20 percent of overall sales.
“It is enough to be worth the investment, and we are happy with our decision,” North American CEO Joe Eberhardt told C&D.
The XE will be part of a small club of luxury sedans still available with a manual transmission.
The BMW 3- and 4-Series are available with a manual transmission, but BMW’s online configurator selects an automatic transmission by default. Mercedes-Benz doesn’t have a manual transmission available on the C-Class. It was earlier reported the new Audi A4 would be available with a manual transmission, but that was also when they said the A4 would have a 2-liter diesel engine in North America.
More by Mark Stevenson
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This makes me soooooooooooo happy.
Enthusiasts may be a small segment but the value they can bring to a brand is disproportionate to their numbers. "Car guys" are the ones regular people, the little people, go to when deciding on which car to buy. Their recommendation carries weight, even if they ultimately end up purchasing a tame and automatic product of the manufacturer the enthusiast favors. I think Jaguar understands this.
The official press release specifies only automatics across the model range. I'll just see myself out...
My question is will you be able to get the manual paired with the V6, or will they pull a Cadillac and only offer it with the 4 cylinder? BMW unfortunately wins this segment by default by being the only manufacturer to pair a six with a manual in a (non performance edition, so no M4 or ATS-V) 4 door sedan.