This is the new Jaguar XE

This is the XE, Jaguar's upcoming BMW 3-series and Mercedes C-Class rival. But don't worry, the production car'll be a lot less... rivety.

This is just a development mule, y'see, but it follows Jag's tradition of showing off early prototypes so you lot get in a bit of a fizz about it. Which, if you were previously considering something German and medium sized, you may well do (it doesn't look it, but the bigger XF's actually longer than a 5-series).

Under the unfinished bodywork, the MiniJag has all-new rear and four-wheel-drive aluminium architecture - the first alloy moncoque in its segment - and gets a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder version of the company's new ‘Ingenium' engine range.

Ingenium being both the most self-satisfied appellation in the motoring industry, and a new family of lightweight, low-emission petrol and diesel engines. Built at the firm's new powerplant manufacturing facility in the West Midlands, execs promise us that the XE will manage both sub-100g/km of CO2 emissions and 186mph-plus pace.

But enough of the tech. Reckon it's a looker? Or would you stick with the Germans? If you're struggling to visualise it, have a look at this earlier render...