Jaguar C-X16 gets E-Type push

A worldwide push to put the E-Type back on the road is triggering a re-think at Jaguar. People power is forcing a fresh look at the name that will be used when - not if - the British brand's C-X16 sports car concept is put into full-scale production.

Brand bosses at the British company originally rejected any notion of re-using the name from the sixties original for its Frankfurt motor show star but now admit they had not expected such a strong positive reaction to the C-X16 and its connection to the E-Type.

Just as people power forced Holden to renew the Monaro nameplate after originally rejecting it in favour of Commodore Coupe at the Sydney Motor Show in 1998, Jaguar admits it might be forced to bow to public pressure.

"Should I go against public opinion and not call it the E-Type?," asks Hallmark. "To suddenly bring it back out with a hackneyed old name because we couldn't think of anything else would just be seen as cynical. We'll find a great name for it."

But the man who designed the C-X16, lifetime Jaguar man Ian Callum, is not in favour. "Personally, I wouldn't like to call it an E-Tpe. The E-Type is so iconic," Callum says.

Hallmark says the name is only a minor consideration as Jaguar builds a workable business case for the C-X16, which could be in full-scale production in less than two years. The Frankfurt show car already satisfies almost all legislative and crash requirements, apart from undersized door mirrors. "From my perspective, the most important thing for this car is getting the positioning right and getting it clearly understood in the marketplace," he says. "Whatever we call it, if we get the rest of the formula right the name will not make a material difference to the performance of the car in the marketplace."

Still, Jaguar admits it has already rejected both C-X16 and XE - which would fit with its current XF, XJ and XK range - for the car. And that leaves the way clear for  a return of the E-Type badge. "We're not saying it, but everyone is saying it is the spiritual successor. We're open to persuasion," says Hallmark.

TELL US - AND JAGUAR - WHAT YOU THINK. Should the C-X16 be called E-Type?