Mid-engined Jaguar flagship on the way

[Pebb]

Source: Auto Express

Jaguar is working on an all-new, mid-engined coupe which is set to make its public debut in just 12 months time.

Aimed at the likes of the Audi R8, the top-secret machine has apparently beaten the long awaited F-Type in the race to be the first new sportscar launched by the company since its acquisition by Indian conglomerate, Tata. It revives plans for a flagship sports car, which were first revealead way back in 2001 with the R-Coupe (pictured).

Based on the current XK, the newcomer will also be the first mid-engined model from the Coventry car builder since the XJ220…launched 18 years ago in 1991.

Tipped to be called the XE, it will first appear as a concept, possibly at the Geneva Motor Show in 2010. Set to combine a dramatic silouhette with an imposing nose, the model is expected to be the most forward looking model the firm has yet produced.

Under the bonnet, the car is likely to use a tuned version of the XF-R's 503bhp 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine. Jaguar’s managing director Mike O’Driscoll said: “XK is the car that began a revolution for us, but it’s not the end of the story. I firmly believe the best car we could build to compliment this is a flagship coupé.”

 

[Omnis]

So is this R8-style mid-engine, or SLR-style mid-engine? I think it's about time Jaguar dropped that stupid X/S-type nose. I hope that image isn't a prototype.

 

[-ultraflow-]

It's a very cool car combining light weight and good performance!

 

[Ardius]

So is this R8-style mid-engine, or SLR-style mid-engine? I think it's about time Jaguar dropped that stupid X/S-type nose. I hope that image isn't a prototype.

Did you read everything? Thats not what its going to look like:

It revives plans for a flagship sports car, which were first revealead way back in 2001 with the R-Coupe (pictured).

 

[Stotty]

At least it doesn't look like a cheap Aston copy... though the picture above can't be right as the proportions are completely wrong for a mid engined car... that looks more like a replacement for the current XK?

 

[McLaren]

Because it's not. The picture is the 2001 concept. Ardius just pointed this out.

On the subject, a mid-engine Jaguar should be interesting. Plus, it should have 99% chance of actually getting off the ground unlike the XJ220 & really selling.

 

[Stotty]

Ah, I thought it looked familiar.

Think the pictured edit was added after I posted!

 

[TheCracker]

Plus, it should have 99% chance of actually getting off the ground unlike the XJ220 & really selling.

Well, the XJ200 cost $580,000 USD 20 years ago. I should think this will be somewhat cheaper and therefore somewhat easier to get sell. Although Jaguar's timing for a car like this is hardly ideal.

 

[Omnis]

Ah, I thought it looked familiar.

Think the pictured edit was added after I posted!

Word, me too.

 

[Philly]

Plus, it should have 99% chance of actually getting off the ground unlike the XJ220 & really selling.

This sounds like it'll be a pretty cool car. I'm guessing it won't be too performance oriented, being a Jag and all. I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do.

However, the article says that the car could debut in 12 months, yet won't be in concept form until Geneva 2010, which is more than 12 months away...

 

[YSSMAN]

Hmmm, I guess I'm a bit skeptical of the whole idea. I don't know if I'm exactly comfortable with anything that isn't a front-engined Jaguar. Perhaps that just makes me "old school."

Still, I'm interested to see what they can deliver. The new XKR and XFR are absolutely brilliant, and if they can continue on that streak of success, my hope is that Jaguar can pull something creative off again.

 

[Ardius]

Hmmm, I guess I'm a bit skeptical of the whole idea. I don't know if I'm exactly comfortable with anything that isn't a front-engined Jaguar. Perhaps that just makes me "old school."

Still, I'm interested to see what they can deliver. The new XKR and XFR are absolutely brilliant, and if they can continue on that streak of success, my hope is that Jaguar can pull something creative off again.

Technically Jaguar have made MR cars before
<<<<<<<<<

Just not road cars.

 

[buickgnx88]

Technically Jaguar have made MR cars before
<<<<<<<<<

Just not road cars.

*Cough cough*

 

[homeforsummer]

Oooh, a new mid-engined Jag. Sounds intriguing. I always liked that R-Coupe. In fact, Jaguar haven't made a concept car yet that I haven't really liked the look of. I'm a fan of the marque in general so to me their new direction under Tata is very reassuring. I bought an Autocar magazine today with an interview of Ratan Tata (*hee hee*) in, and he was expressing his desire to bring back the sports cars, so good on him.

The XFR is out soon too...

 

[Ardius]

*Cough cough*

 

[Stevisiov]

ahem

It seems top of the line jaguars favour MR actually...

 

[Venom800tt]

If this new mid-engined Jaguar looks anything like the old XJ220 or XJR-15 it will be one of the hottest modern mid-engined cars then.
Yes, I find the XJ220 to be extremely attractive

 

[Ardius]

ahem

It seems top of the line jaguars favour MR actually...

The thing that makes me particularly retarded is that I actually saw with my own two eyes a TWR XJ220S (the yellow one) at Oulton Park only a few months ago...can't believe I forgot about Jaguar's supercars.

 

[Jim Prower]

Should be interesting to see what comes out of this. I do hope for something of an XJ220 revival.

 

[Stevisiov]

The thing that makes me particularly retarded is that I actually saw with my own two eyes a TWR XJ220S (the yellow one) at Oulton Park only a few months ago...can't believe I forgot about Jaguar's supercars.

XJ220 at Oulton Park and I didn't go and see it

I live less than a mile away and go there all the time...

 

[YSSMAN]

Absolute perfection!

*whooboy!*

 

[TheCracker]

Technically Jaguar have made MR cars before
<<<<<<<<<

Just not road cars.

Technically Jag didn't make them at all, it was TWR

 

[harrytuttle]

Maybe yes? Maybe no? No? Crap. They'll never build it.

The XJ-13. My favorite design of all time. Some cars I like the design better, some I like the engineering better, but this...this car is special. "Roofs? Roofs?!? We don' need no stinkin' roofs!"

 

[Ardius]

XJ220 at Oulton Park and I didn't go and see it

I live less than a mile away and go there all the time...

Not an XJ220

an XJ220S
This is the one in particular:

They were the concept cars built by TWR and later sold off to private owners, this particular one is obviously owned by someone in the North-West, as that picture was taken at the Jag-revival garage in Stoke-on-Trent (not my picture). There are something like only 8 in the world and each one is a different colour.