New Jaguar Lightweight E-Type Breaks Cover

A while back, Jaguar revealed that it would be making six additional lightweight E-Type roadsters, to fill in for six models which were never completed as part of an initial 1963 run which was supposed to have 18 cars in it. A team of engineers in the Jaguar Heritage group in Jaguar’s Special Vehicle Operations have now completed a prototype of the car, and it really does look like they hopped in a time machine to make it.

The new Lightweight E-Type is based on the exact specifications of the original Special E-Type GT series, including an aluminum body, doors, trunk lid, hardtop and hood. In order to replicate the original E-Type, engineers had to digitally capture every component of the classic model so they could understand exactly how the car was built. Under the hood is a 3.8-liter XK straight-six aluminum block engine, capable of producing over 300 horsepower and 280 lb-ft. of torque. The six customers purchasing the cars will have the choice of including of going with the homologated Weber carbs, or the Lucas mechanical fuel injection system like the one included in the original Lightweight E-Type track cars.

While we’re used to seeing restored E-Types, we’ve never seen one that looks quite as pristine as the brand new car shown here. And nevermind how unlikely it is that you’ll ever see one of the original aluminum GT cars in person.

The completed “car zero” prototype is headed to this week’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where you can see it in person.