Rumours of an entry-level, BMW 3-series-fighting Jaguar sedan have been floating around for quite some time, but thanks to our spy-photographers, we now have visible proof that such a model is, in fact, in the works.

Despite this tester's XF fittings, it's clear that what lies beneath is an entirely different beast. The doors have been shortened, roofline adjusted, rear deck lopped off and exhaust replaced, giving us a better idea of the new sedan's smaller dimensions and details. The new Jag, which may be dubbed "XS," is expected to ride on Jaguar's PLA (Premium Lightweight Architecture) platform, touting weight-saving materials that should do a lot to keep overall heft to a minimum. Both turbocharged four- and supercharged six-cylinder powertrains are expected to be on tap.

Codenamed X760, the new small sedan will reportedly hit the market in 2015. Earlier reports have indicated that a new crossover – Jag's first ever – riding on the same platform will arrive shortly thereafter, so that suggests that the platform will be fitted with all-wheel drive as well.

 

Looks like the "Spy" photographer was standing in the middle of the road. it is starting to appear ALL cars are coming out of one factory now. New cars in a herd just look like allot of new cars now (except Chrysler)
I like a more distinctive look but the days if individualism are all but gone.. thanks for the post.

 

I admire what Ian Callum's team is doing with new Jaguars. The cars all look like Jags without looking like each other or something that came before. The XJ is their take on a big Jag. The XK is their vision of a GT, etc etc.

The Mk X, Mk II, and E-Type were contemporaneous yet completely different from one another.

So I'm really hoping that this starting-from-scratch approach carries on in the upcoming 3-Series competitor.

When I first came upon the photos at the start of this thread, I thought "that could be a Mazda" (a nice looking car but not Jaguarish). Then I read the article and noted that that car is an XF-disguised mule, thankfully. Thankfully, because I'm eagre to see how Callum's team envisions the small sedan, and hopeful that it will knock my socks off, as the XF, XJ, and now the F-Type have done.

 

Incidentally, in January Ian Callum tweeted that he was about to review some clay models, with "decisive reviews" coming soon. He wouldn't say of what though!

 

I agree, not very Jaguar looking as it is now. I could see it being a Mazda. My first thought was that it looked much like the old Porsche 944's. I never much liked the way they looked either.