With SUVs completely off the table, Jaguar has gained a new focus on improving its passenger car lineup. The XF sedan is already enjoying better-than-expected results, with a much improved XJ flagship waiting in the wings. But Jaguar won’t stop there as the company’s long-rumored XE roadster has officially been confirmed.
Despite the global economic downturn, Jaguar is pushing forward with its roadster production plans. Believed to be called the XE, Jaguar’s new owner – Ratan Tata of Tata Motors – confirmed the existence of the roadster program in an interview with The Economic Times.
“We need to emerge with something shiny and new, which is why we are re-prioritizing the roadster right now,” Tata said. “I’m highly excited about what I see.”
Tata added that the roadster was in the early design sign-off stages.
It remains unclear what setup the roadster will have – rumors have suggest both front- and mid-engine layouts – but the base XE will likely be powered by a 5.0L V8 making 385 horsepower. An up-level R version is expected to be offered, which will up the ante with a 510 horsepower supercharged V8.
Tata failed to give a timeframe for the new roadster, but the XE could surface as early as 2011.
