The Jaguar E-type majored on value for money, offering the speed-starved car buyer of the 1960s an almost genuine 240km/h for a lot less than a contemporary Ferrari. Bringing the E-type idea up to date, Swedish design firm Vizualtech has lost sight of the low cost ideal of the first E-type, but its Growler E Concept has the high speed element nailed 50 years on from the launch of the original E-type.
The Growler takes its name from the exhaust note produced by an uprated version of the XKR's 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine. In Vizualtech's idea of the E-type, it comes with 600hp and a claimed 0-100km/h time of less than four seconds. Expect top speed to be around 290km/h.
As well as the engine, the Growler takes its suspension, steering and much of its interior from the Jaguar XKR. However, these components are attached to a carbon fibre core chassis tub, with aluminium tubular sub-frames bolted front and back for the suspension. All-up weight for the Growler E is 1,550kg to make it significantly lighter than the XKR it's based on.
Vizualtech boss Bo Zolland explains the Growler was designed for a wealthy Swiss businessman as a one-off. However, Zolland says a limited production run of Growlers is likely after huge interest in the car. He said: "Not everyone likes the design direction taken by Jaguar with the XF and XJ. There are still many enthusiasts who are nostalgic for the sensual shape of the E-type. This project was born in the mind of one of these fans who wanted to see some of Jaguar's original style again but with up to date technology."
Vizualtech reckons it can make four cars per year, with each one taking six months to complete. Where the original Jaguar E-type cost about €2,400 and a current XKR will set you back €139,245, the Growler E will be at least €400,000.