Jaguar XE is not going to be supercar, but a sportscar that takes on the BMW Z4

A couple of days ago AutoExpress reported that Jaguar is working on a 503-hp all-aluminum supercar called the XE to take on the likes of an Audi R8. According to Julian Rendell of AutoWeek (who happens to be familiar of what’s pumping in the Jaguar product pipeline) the Jaguar XE is actually a front-engine sports car – not a 200 mph supercar.

Jaguar has yet to sign-off on the project but according sources, that shouldn’t be a problem. Rendell says that the car will be more of a Porsche Boxster, BMW Z4 and Mercedes-Benz SLK competitor. Sources tell Rendell that the future of the XE is tied up with the next-generation XK which isn’t due until 2012 or 2013.

Jaguar’s new owner, Ratan Tata of Tata Motors has always wanted Jaguar to do an entry-level sports car even before he bought the company from Ford. Now, he’s bouncing the idea back to Jaguar executives which are looking for a business case to produce it.

Guess you can’t always believe what the internet tells you.

Source: AutoWeek