Name game reveals Jag E-Type plan

The cats are being let out of the bag! Auto Express has learned that Jaguar has trademarked a host of new names for some exciting upcoming models – and one of them looks set for the E-Type’s spiritual successor.

We’ve discovered the firm has registered ‘XE’ for future use – a badge that is tantalisingly close to the XKE codename by which the classic E-Type was originally known.  

Just as it did with the C-XF concept – which previewed the recently launched XF executive saloon – the company has also registered the C-XE badge. This indicates it plans to introduce a concept for the Porsche 911-rivalling coupé – possibly at next year’s Geneva Motor Show.

Likely to be available as both a fabric-roofed roadster and hard-top coupé, the new XE sports car would finally be a true competitor for the 911.

It would also lay to rest the ghost of the F-Type, Jaguar’s planned E-Type replacement, which was revealed at the Detroit Motor Show back in 2000, but never saw the light of day in production guise.

There’s no official word from the company about the forthcoming car, but the boss of Jaguar’s new owner – Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata – is known to be keen on having a new small coupé in the Big Cat’s line-up.

As you can see from our illustration (main image), the resulting model is likely to take much of its visual inspiration from the XF, which debuted chief stylist Ian Callum’s design blueprint for the brand. As a result, a bold grille is framed
by sleek headlights in front of a long bonnet complete with power bulge. At the rear, there are sculpted haunches.

The entry-level model will be powered by a 4.2-litre V8 engine, while range-toppers will get a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 producing around 500bhp. Even in basic trim, a 0-60mph sprint time of around five seconds and a top speed of 155mph are feasible.

Standard transmission will be a six-speed automatic box with steering wheel-mounted paddleshifters, while Audi-style magnetic dampers are also a possibility.

The newcomer is likely to be based around a shortened version of the lightweight aluminium, rear-wheel-drive chassis that will underpin the latest XJ. We published the first pictures of this car in Issue 987.

And a concept version of the luxury saloon could debut in the coming months, too, as the C-XJ badge was among those Jaguar registered. As the final production machine is scheduled to go on sale in 2010, an appearance at the Detroit Motor Show in January seems likely.

We’ve already published spy pictures of the all-new luxury saloon testing at the Nürburgring in Germany (Issue 1,029), wearing the current XJ body as disguise. And the C-XJ promises to be the most forward-looking concept ever displayed by the brand.

As our illustration shows, it will be a stunning machine, taking the look of the XF to a whole new level with gorgeous coupé-style lines, a low roof and elegant proportions.

As well as offering a range of petrol and diesel engines, the next XJ is likely to be the first Jaguar to feature a new hybrid drive system. Expect to see small, high-powered batteries boosting performance and cutting emissions. It will get magnetic dampers, too.

While the XJ will arrive in 2010, the XE is still some way off. It will cost around £70,000 when it goes on sale in 2012.