These latest spy pictures show the new baby Jaguar saloon testing ahead of its expected reveal in the autumn.
The model, caught here cold-weather testing in Scandanavia, will be a direct rival to the likes of the BMW 3-series, and is expected to go on sale soon after March next year. These pictures are believed to show a long-wheelbase version of the car, which makes it similar in size to the XF replacement. However, sources suggest that model won't be seen for another 18 months.
Jaguar Land Rover design boss Ian Callum has told Autocar that design work has already been finished on the as-yet-unnamed model, saying that it will "follow the current design trends of Jaguar", rather than creating a new design language for the firm.
The saloon will be underpinned by Jaguar's iQ[Al] architecture, first seen in action on the C-X17 SUV concept, and is expected to feature a more powerful front trapezoidal grille alongside a clamshell bonnet with twin power bulges and muscular haunches.
Jaguar's new family of petrol and diesel engines, dubbed Hotfire, will power the new saloon. Those engines are currently under development at JLR's Engine Manufacturing Centre in Wolverhampton. Jaguar is likely to offer the saloon with sub-100g/km CO2 emissions in some variants, while performance models should get a top speed of around 186mph.
The company has also confirmed the new model will be priced just below the existing Jaguar XF, which means a starting price of less than £29,945.
Global brand director for the company Adrian Hallmark has previously told Autocar that Jaguar will "deliver a sports saloon with an unparalleled breadth of performance and efficiency. A true Jaguar and the car that will revolutionise this segment".
