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Jaguar's V8-powered XE looks to take aim at the BMW M3

It seems that Jaguar's littlest sedan is about to get one of the company's biggest engines. One of our spy photographers caught the company testing a disguised XE. While most people's first instincts would be to dissect the car, our photographer paid some extra attention to the number plate, and looked up the car's registration. He says the registration reveals that this little car is packing a 5.0-liter V8. The only sort of 5.0-liter V8 Jaguar makes is supercharged and makes 550 horsepower or more. So what we're probably looking at is a future 550-horsepower XE R. On the car itself, there appear to be larger intake vents on each side of the front bumper, likely for cooling off a much bigger, hotter engine. And of course a more aggressive appearance. The V8 theory is further backed up by the quad-tip exhaust that clearly needs more development. Aside from these changes, this XE looks pretty similar to the sportier models in the current range. It has the same side skirts as the XE R-Sport and XE S. It also uses the same wheels as the XE S. We can safely say that at least the wheels will be different when the V8 model reaches production. As for when that will be, we'd say don't expect to see a revealed production model for at least a year, and possibly more, since there appears to be a decent amount of development left to do. Related Video:

New Audi design chief Massimo Frascella shaped cars for Jaguar Land Rover

At the Audi brand, style and design have long been a high priority; think the super sleek and sexy A7 sedan, the Bauhaus-inspired TT coupe, the single-frame grille that instantly identified the marque with its down-the-road graphics. So when the Bavarians install a new head of design, that’s also worth a look. Massimo Frascella is that person, a 52-year-old Italian designer who this summer will succeed Marc Lichte. Lichte ran Audi design since 2014 and will take up a new role within the Volkswagen Group. Frascella, a student at the Istituto d`Arte Applicata & Design in Turin, ignited his career at Stile Bertone, and his resume after that evolves impressively. He subsequently held positions at Ford Motor Company and Kia, and since 2011, Frascella has held senior positions at Jaguar Land Rover. He was responsible for the creation of several models: Discovery Vision Concept (2014), Discovery Sport (2014), Discovery (2016), Velar (2017), Evoque (2019) and Defender. In 2019 he became creative director of Land Rover and in 2020 design director. He was also instrumental in the development of the range of new electric Jaguars that are in the works. “Joining Audi is a very special moment for me,” Frascella said. “I am deeply honored to assume the role of chief creative officer and to guide such a talented team in shaping the future of the brand to new heights of innovation and distinction. I believe in the emotional power of design to inspire, connect, and drive change, and I am here to nurture and promote creativity as the beating heart of our brand.” Looking back a couple of decades, it was one of FrascellaÂ’s predecessors who helped to cement AudiÂ’s reputation in automobile design: Walter de Silva. De Silva was appointed head of Audi design in 2002. From 2007 to 2015, he supervised the design strategy for the entire Volkswagen group, including the TT, the Scirocco, the Passat and the Golf. Not a bad list of achievements, but in a interview several years ago, de Silva said that he considered the 2007 Audi A5 coupe the pinnacle of his automotive design art, citing its “sex appeal, the shape of the lights, the architecture.” Design/Style Audi Jaguar Land Rover Volkswagen Automotive History

Prince Harry drove Meghan Markle to their Royal Wedding reception in this electric Jaguar

Well over a billion people all over the world tuned in to watch the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle this morning, but now that it's all said and done, it's time to direct our attention to the car that the newly crowned Duke and Duchess of Sussex drove to their reception. The Jaguar E-Type Zero first debuted in September of 2017, but it's getting a whole heck of a lot more press today than it did then. Welcome to the Royal Family, Jag. Jaguar left as much of the original 1968 Series 1.5 E-Type in tact as possible while replacing the original inline-six engine with an electric motor and battery pack. Enough power is sent to the rear wheels to push this feline from 0-62 in just 5.5 seconds. That means it's quicker now than it was when new and chugging on gasoline. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. The E-Type Zero's range of 170 miles is way more than enough to whisk the happy couple away from Windsor Castle to Frogmore House on the Windsor Estate, where Harry's father, the Prince of Wales, is hosting their wedding reception. But if it were to run out of juice, its 40kWh battery can be recharged in under 7 hours. Want one of your own? The Daily Mail says it'll cost GBP350,000 (that's over $470,000 here in the States). Just don't expect a customized license plate to match the date of your wedding. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.