Jaguar's C-Class fighter exposed

Jaguar has taken to social media to reveal the latest teaser image of its new XE sedan, providing the first look at the overall shape of its upcoming rival for the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Broadcast on Jaguar's Twitter feed, the image confirms Jaguar has all but finalised the design of the XE, which is likely to make its debut at the Paris motor show in early October ahead of its Australia release early next year.

Jaguar has previously teased the Jaguar XE's visage and bare bones chassis, but the new image reveals the car's sleek profile and a number of other details.

The XE's front-end adopts a look similar to the larger XF, with long bonnet and rectangular grille, and pumped wheel-arches also in evidence. Technical details such as the headlights, tail-lights and brightwork will be more evolved than on the XF, and the car's heavily angled windscreen will lend it a sporty look too.

Promoted via the 'FeelXE' hashtag - emblazoned on the car's flanks - to raise its social media profile, the XE is expected to be a big seller for the premium British brand, especially if the company reaches a mooted $50,000 entry-level price, which would undercut its chief German rivals.

The XE will slot in underneath the XF, which rivals models such as the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class, powered by a family of new generation 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, dubbed Ingenium.

Jaguar says the new engines will be super efficient, some emitting Toyota Prius hybrid-like levels of CO2, while others will be highly-strung units pumping out big power and capable of speeds of up to 300km/h.

The Indian-owned British car-maker has also confirmed it will offer the XE with its supercharged 3.0-litre V6 from the F-TYPE sports car. In the XE it will pump out 250kW/440Nm initially, but the blown 3.0-litre V6 can output up to 280kW.

Spotted numerous times in testing, the Jaguar XE will be the first mid-size sedan from Jaguar since the unloved Ford Mondeo-based X-Type was axed in 2009. It will ride on a new 'iQ Al' platform, the 'Al' denoting its aluminium construction.

Several other vehicles from both Jaguar and Land Rover are expected to use the iQ Al platform, including Jaguar's first crossover, based on the C-X17 concept.