Jaguar is losing the plot, as far as I am concerned. When the E-Type first came out, it was an immediate sensation. Such looks, and such performance, though today a seven second zero to 100 km/h is no longer neck-snapping.
The new Jaguars do not have the presence of the old E-Type, but take a look at this one.
A Swedish design firm, Visualtech, has confirmed it will build a very limited run of production cars based on its Growler E, a re-imagining of the Jaguar E-Type. According to company sources, the plan is to have the first Growler ready for delivery in the summer of 2012.
Growler E
When I say “limited run”, Visualtech is indicating this will be three or four cars only. However, if there is the demand, Visualtech may build a very short series run of the cars, with help from Steyr or the Finnish firm Valmet.
The engine will be Jaguar, the 5 liter supercharged V8, from the XKR and 600 BHP is rumored. Visualtech expects that will lead to a 0-100 km/h time of under 4 seconds.
The body of the Growler E is a composite body glued to a carbon fiber structure, with front and rear tube frames holding the running gear. The cost of a Growler E in the US is estimated at $700,000 if they make a series run, and closer to $1.4 million if they only make a few. Now factor in Thai customs and duties, add on your birthday, multiply by the first number you thought of between 90 and 100 and call it baht. I don’t think we’ll see any around these parts, unfortunately, but what a great looking motor car.
