Earlier today, Jaguar officially released the C-X16 concept and despite the concept designation, this small car is destined for production as the Jaguar XE which we've seen before.
Now, the official line on the concept is that it's a hybrid (KERS) supercharged V6 with an 8-speed automatic transmission. That doesn't add up with what we've seen and heard, though. The car we caught in our Jag XE Spy Video sounded like a 6, but that's not the only one we've seen. Take a look at these spy photos which show two distinct exhaust routings. Our spy photographer said that the car sounded different than previous cars, and that further research on the car's registration indicated it was running a 5.0-liter V8.
And then there was our discussion with Ian Callum. Jaguar's design director strongly hinted that a V6 would indeed be offered. More interesting was the fact that he let loose the fact that although the XE won't arrive with a manual transmission from the start, one will be available at some point down the line.
So a 5.0-liter XE-R with a six-speed manual? Yes please.
cr_driver says:
06:08 PM, 09/ 6/11
A true sports car huh? So far going well.
Another interesting Jaguar.
So, where are the Jaguars on the long term fleet?
hotrodw says:
08:32 PM, 09/ 7/11
The more we learn about this platform the better things get. How often does that happen? I gotta say, I am totally surprised at how well Tata is handling Jaguar and Rover. Too bad they didn't want Volvo, too.
lolxd says:
09:19 AM, 09/ 9/11
Tata should go buy Saab
But I think having too much luxury brands can be a disaster (see: Ford).