Are you a corporate man who's passionate about cars? Tired of looking at the same three German compact saloons? Of course you are. Unfortunately, the Japanese alternatives aren't all that suited to executive tastes, lacking engagement and dynamism. But if those attributes are what you crave, just wait until Jaguar's next big project comes out in 2015.
If you've recently found yourself drooling over an F-Type coupe at a magazine stand, know that the four-door version is just around the corner. The XE sedan is being specifically designed to beat the Germans at their own game and will have both a light and a dark sight.
Our latest spy video, taken on the Nurburgring track in Germany, shows development of two different XE prototypes, both of which will be ready next year. The first is clearly a supercharged 3-liter V6, like the one fitted to the F-Type.
This is a relatively new engine, revealed only two years ago. It features all-aluminum construction, quad cams and direct fuel injection.
Jaguar believes its Roots-type twin vortex supercharger with a water-cooled intercooler is far better suited to sportscars than turbocharges.
We believe the XE S will not directly compete with BMW M and Audi RS models, but with their lesser versions, M Performance and S. 0 to 100 km/h times should be in the region of 5 seconds. Later on, Jaguar could offer a more powerful version.
The other prototype seen testing is clearly fitted with one of the upcoming Ingenium four-cylinder engines. From the beginning, one of the XE project's major goals has been to come up with a way of producing less than 100 grams of CO2 per kilometers.
All engines will be mated to the famous XF 8-speed transmission and will be built in Britain. The first XE models will become available from 2015 and will quickly be followed by XK and XF replacements.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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Jaguar believes its Roots-type twin vortex supercharger with a water-cooled intercooler is far better suited to sportscars than turbocharges.
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