Has the Growler E-type homage been reborn as the Lyonheart?

By James Elliott

| 15 Feb 2012

Looks like the much-vaunted Growler retro E-type update is alive and well, albeit with a new name.

The press this morning received an intriguing – and sparing in detail – teaser for something looking uncannily E-type-ish and called the Lyonheart King (geddit?) with just the date 21.02.2012.

To be honest, much as we'd like to take credit for our relentless newshoundery, it didn't take phone-tapping and a load of sleuthing to trace it back to Classic Factory Automotive and Industrial Design, which also boasts pictures of Bo Zolland's renderings of the Growler, originally touted under the Swiss Vizualtech banner.

Do take a look at their website, there is some very cool stuff on there, but in the meantime, on the assumption that the new car is 'son of Growler', here is some info from designer Robert Palm on that project:

Growler E 2011 - Rebirth of a legend  

In 2011 the legendary Jaguar E-Type will celebrate its 50th anniversary, as it was first presented at the Geneva Motor Show in 1961.

On the occasion of this anniversary and upon the request of a Swiss businessman who wishes to stay anonymous, the designers Bo Zolland from Vizualtech and Robert Palm have developed an exceptional sports car inspired by the legend.

Based on the Jaguar XKR with a supercharged 5.0 Litre V8, the Growler E 2011 Concept produces 600 hp instead of the 510 hp of the XKR, thanks to engine remapping. The composite body is glued on a chassis made of a central carbon fibre core, on which two tubular frames are bolted at the front and rear, supporting engine, steering, transmission and suspensions. The majority of the components and the interior gear are taken from the Jaguar XKR. Thanks to a lighter chassis, the weight is only 1550 kg, about 200 kg less than the Jaguar XKR, which serves as technical basis.

Its expected performance should therefore be sensibly better than the Jaguar XKR, which is already extremely fast. 0-100 km/h should stay under 4 seconds.
Everyone doesn't like the direction taken lately by Jaguar design, initiated by the Jaguar XF and confirmed by the new XJ. There are still many friends of the noble English brand who are nostalgic of the sensual shapes of the XK 120, Mark II, XJ6 and, last but not least, the fantastic Jaguar E-Type. This project was born in the mind of one of these nostalgic fans, who wanted to see the original style again, but up to date and with the latest technology.

The Growler E 2011 Concept is destined to remain unique. However, if there is some demand, a small series could be built by hand, for an unknown price.
Vizualtech is a Swedish design studio, founded by Bo Zolland in 1999. Robert Palm is an independent designer based in Switzerland.

James Elliott

James Elliott is a former Editor of Classic & Sports Car