Fans of Jaguar sports-coupes – of which there are many have only had the XK to keep them going for some time now. Although the XK is a slick customer it’s set to have company shortly. According to recent reports the Coventry-based company is busy with preparations to launch a long-speculated new sportscar.

It’s being called the “C-Type” or unimaginatively referred to as the “small sports car,” and will be reportedly based on a new aluminum monocoque chassis. The engine bay will be big enough to accommodate jaguar’s throaty 5.0-liter V8 engine, but power is initially expected to come from a turbocharged V6, developed in-house off the V8′s architecture. Coupe and soft-top convertible bodystyles are planned when the new sportscar arrives and it’ll be ready to compete with the Mercedes SLK, BMW Z4 and Audi TT within the next two years.

We will update you further as new information is released on Jaguar’s next sports coupe.