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Given the current auto industry, every automaker is currently developing or advancing hybrid capabilities . In the compact car and sedan market, the Toyota Prius is currently the leading competitor but all companies are following suit and gaining ground fast.

Currently Jaguar does not offer any of their models in a hybrid option , but is rumored to being working extensively on offering their Jaguar XK model in a hybrid engine. There is little information on the market as to the status and capabilities of this potential hybrid sports car , but all rumors speculate that concept cars will be out in late 2008 with production beginning in mid- 2009.

The XK was spotted being tested at the famed Nurburgring circuit in Germany by photographers working to get early details on the new vehicle. The photographers claim that when cars are being tested on the track, a large amount of engine sound can be heard for miles as vehicles circle the track. When the new Jaguar was taking laps, very little to no noise could be heard coming from the new car as it lapped the track. Based on this observation the rumors are that Jaguar is testing their new hybrid technology .

Early reports claim that the new Jaguar XK Hybrid will offer a state of the art hybrid power train at the center of its fuel economy . A large reserve of ultra-capacitors will be storing the vehicles electrical energy while a new age electrical motor will be backing up the vehicles engine.

The Jaguar XK Hybrid is said to be housing a 3.0-liter V-6 engine, which will be operating off a combination of fuel, the capacitors, and the electric motor. The 2008 fuel operating Jaguar XK started at a price of $74,000 available in 4.2-liter V-8 producing 300 horsepower.

The hybrid model seems to only be available in a V-6 version and will produce much less horsepower based on the capabilities of the hybrid system. The fuel-operating Jaguar offered an 18.8-gallon tank with an estimated 16 miles per gallon city and 25 miles per gallon highway. With the new hybrid technology, the estimated fuel economy should increase by fifty percent, offering an estimated 25 miler per gallon both in the city and on the highway.

We will not fully know the capabilities of the new Jaguar XK Hybrid until specifications are released on the vehicle. With the smaller engine, lightweight design, and state of the art hybrid technology, the Jaguar XK could be the most luxurious hybrid on the market. Couple the beautiful design with the new fuel economy, you get a state of the art hybrid in a sports car package.

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Many people think that this is fantastic news for anyone who loved the look of the XK car, but simply could not afford the cost of running a 4.2-litre V8 due to fuel prices . The "oil burner" will be available in both the XK Coupe and Convertible. The XK (non-hybrid ) was released in early 2005. Jaguar had no intent to make a diesel-powered version. However the ecological state of the climate has forced them to re-think.

The diesel driven Jaguars power will derive itself from the 2.7-litre V6 TD – as currently used in the Jaguar XF. Although this is very unlikely to be anything other than a 3.0-litre version.

No performance figures being mentioned just yet and no other mention from the good people at the British Motor Show but at the least the diesel XK will require 250bhp along with a combined fuel consumption of more than 30mpg to remain at the top with the rest of the competition.

With a diesel powered Jaguar XK on the way, we’re very unlikely to see petrol-powered versions taking up partial hybrid technology like regenerative braking .

Ian Callum as Jaguar’s Design Director stays true to form and maintains that the XK is a proper sports car . Simply adding partial hybrid technology runs the risk of adding much uneccessary weight and will inevitably ruin the Jaguar driving experience, in my opinion.

Jaguar is going to reflect the trends and will always be investing in diesel-hybrids. Along with it’s sister company Land Rover it will be a major player. Something to look out for and in the not far distant future then, perhaps another 3 years?