As per motortrend Jaguar's upcoming small sports car dubbed XE - inches closer to production, motortrend received new renderings that give a better look at what the new Boxster-fighting roadster could possibly become.
Based on a shorter version of Jaguar's new flexible architecture that underpins the XK, XF, and the upcoming, all-new XJ, the XE will be a smaller, lighter roadster that will most likely be powered by the same 5.0L AJ-V8 engines that propel the rest of the Jaguar lineup (and all Land Rovers as well). With 385 horsepower in naturally aspirated form and 510 with a supercharger attached, no one should be able to accuse the new XE of being a slouch.
And it appears from these renderings that Jag's XE will have the looks to go along with its grunt. Appearing not unlike a scaled-down XK, the XE features more aggressive body lines, with arched rear fenders and sharp, angular headlights. The traditional oval-shaped front grille is still present, though it is flanked by two deep air intakes to either side. Out back, similarly shaped brake venting ducts appear aft of the rear wheels, and two trapezoidal exhaust tips are found. Overall, the tail treatment is quite different from that of the XK, with more subtle curves and a wraparound feel.
Built as something of a spiritual successor to the classic E-Type, Jaguar may choose to debut the XE on its inspiration's 50th anniversary at the 2011 Geneva motor show. An XE-R performance variant could follow with 0 to 60 mph times in the low 4-second range. It may be too early to nail down the XE's pricing strategy, but we'd expect the car to be competitive with the Boxster, SLK, TT, and Z4.
source: motortrend
