SPY PICS: Baby Jaguar on the prowl

These illustrations from our European agency, Carparazzi, are the best indication yet of what the much-talked about Jaguar XE will look like if and when it finally finds its way into showrooms. Planned as a spiritual successor to the iconic E-Type, the new model would give the Leaping Cat a rival for the likes of the Porsche Boxster and Aston Martin Vantage V8.

Although most of the talk up until now has centred on the convertible version, as these images show, there is now speculation that a coupe could also be in the planning. But while firm details remain hard to come by at this stage there are leaks beginning to appear.

One certainty appears to be the adoption of the rectangular grille from the XF and XJ instead of the oval opening made famous by the original E-Type. Industry talk has suggested the designers were finding it too difficult to get the oval grille to work with the rest of the car's design, forcing the change.

Power for the new car is expected to come from the company's existing portfolio but could eventually spawn hybrid or possibly all-electric versions. Conventional power will come from the 3.0-litre V6 and 5.0-litre V8.

The XE isn't the only new model in the works at Jaguar, either. Speculation is rife that the company is considering reviving the largely forgotten R-D6 Concept from 2003 as a competitor to the BMW 5 Series GT and Audi A5 Sportback. There is even the possibility of a wagon variant of the XF on the cards as well.

With that in mind don't expect to see the XE on the roads before 2013 at the earliest.