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This has got to be the sexiest car weΆve seen so far this year. ItΆs modelled on one of the most iconic and best-looking British sports cars of all time: the sensuous Jaguar E-Type of the Sixties. Enzo Ferrari once said the original E-Type Jag was “the most beautiful car ever made.” Now thereΆs a remake well-worthy of carrying that badge. Meet the Jaguar Growler E 2011.
To help Jaguar celebrate the E-TypeΆs 50th anniversary, an enthusiastic Swiss businessman decided to fund this rather exquisite project which was then put together by Bo Zolland, from Swedish design studio Vizualtech, and Robert Palm, an independent Swiss designer.
At first impressions you can easily tell this is one thorough piece of work that compliments the original E-Type in every way. ItΆs almost impossible to imagine that underneath that sexy body sits a current-generation Jaguar XKR. The rear of the Growler E swoops down and back, taking full inspiration from the original model, including the ΅hourglassΆ curves and the large flat rear window.
Meanwhile, at the front, the grille presents a modern take on the wide-open ΅catfishΆ mouth of the original, including the segmented bumper bars. Although the more traditional one-piece headlight design has made way for a circa-1990s twin-headlight layout, we think it works very well and accentuates the grown-up character.
Even the bonnet has been designed to mimic the original classic, complete with horizontal vents and hinged like a giant clam shell from the nose. The space between the front wheel arches and the start of the doors is long and designed to replicate the classic, but itΆs also filled with heat-extracting vents for that modern touch.
Underneath the bonnet sits the same 5.0-litre supercharged V8 featured in Jaguar XKR. Power figures havenΆt been finalised yet, but designers say the engine will be tweaked somewhat. So instead of outputting 375kW it will produce more like 448kW. Now that would certainly make for one of the fastest road-going E-Types around.
Designers say the Growler weighs a lot less than the XKR donor car too, thanks to the use of carbon fibre sections in the chassis and aluminium components. All up, changes are said to have provided a weight reduction of around 200kg. Weighing around 1550kg in total, the Growler E is expected to achieve 0-100km/h in under four seconds.
The performance is quite something, but itΆs the attention to detail that we love. Even the multi-spoke ΅wireΆ wheels with the chrome spindle locking nuts, chrome bumper bars and tiny chrome mirrors represent the original E-Type Jag down to a tee.
Pricing for the Growler E hasnΆt been announced yet. Unfortunately, production isnΆt even confirmed. However, the designers say that if there is enough demand, they will produce a small series of them which will be hand-built. Fingers crossed.
