Filed under: Convertibles, Sports/GTs, Jaguar

Reports from across the pond regarding Jaguar's plans for a new supercar are coming out of the woodwork, but while Autocar contends that Jag is (still) working on the return of the F-type, AutoExpress reports that an all-new mid-engine supercar is coming in concept form within the next year.

While under Ford PAG management, Jaguar cut back its development projects to its core products, but Tata figures there's more than one way to skin a cat. The F-Type was first shown as a concept car in 2000, but was subsequently shelved. However, under Tata's leadership more niche vehicles like the F-Type, which could hit the market by 2011, could make Jaguar a more compelling alternative brand to the big German automakers and help buoy Jaguar's image.

Back in 2001, Jaguar unveiled the R-Coupe concept, which could influence this new Audi R8 competitor. Based on the current XK, and possibly named the XE, the mid-engine coupe would be powered by the XFR's 503-hp supercharged, 5.0-liter V8 and would be the first vehicle from Jag with an engine mounted amidships since the XJ220. According to Jaguar's managing director, Mike O'Driscoll, the "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 coupe." If it does come to fruition, expect the XE to debut at the Geneva Motor Show in 2010.

Gallery: Jaguar F-Type Concept


[Source: Autocar, AutoExpress]Rumormill: Jaguar aims at R8 with new mid-engine supercar originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.


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