SPY PICS: Jaguar XE cabrio

This sleek soft-top couldn’t be anything else but a Jaguar.

According to the spy photographers at Carparazzi, it’s the upcoming XE cabriolet, which is expected to make its global debut as a 2013 model, maybe in late 2012.

The new Jag soft-top has been the subject of much cat-curiosity in recent times and Carparazzi’s spy photographers recently made a first-time sighting of a developmental car doing the rounds on British public roads.

Now, Carparazzi has snapped a buffed-up, shiny XE cabrio on the tarmac in south western USA where it looked as close to production as a development prototype can possibly get.

Naturally there’s plenty of tacked-on plastic – around the grille, messy rear panels and wheel arches, door handles and boot spoiler - but the underlying feline form is very evident.

Speculation continues that the XE will build on the current Jag XK platform, shortened and maybe widened slightly to suit. Powerplants are equally ruminated on by industry observers, but the adoption of the new V6, plus the current 5.0-litre V8 is considered most likely.

Jaguar R callipers and brakes peeping from behind the wheel spokes suggest an XE-R could well be on the agenda too.

The XE has been described as the spiritual successor to the legendary E-Type and is reputed to be aimed at the likes of Porsche Boxster/Cayman, and possibly 911. It has been suggested a coupe version, and maybe a 2+2 hardtop, could also spring from the XE programme.

Jaguar's upcoming C-X16 concept sports car is due to be unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show later this month — and we expect that will fill in some of the gaps concerning this car. More to follow...

— with Carparazzi

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