DRIVERS are only just realising the hidden meaning behind a feature in a major car firm's sporty motor.
The start/stop button in a modern Jaguar XE car pulses red before you turn on the ignition.
But what many owners may not know is the flashes actually mirror the heart rate - 72 bpm - of an actual jaguar cat as it's ready to pounce.
One fan wrote in a car forum: "Don't you feel like your car is alive and ready to pounce? I do.
"It's an awesome little touch by Jaguar."
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The XE - designed by Ian Callum - was debuted globally in September 2014 in London, as the successor to the X-Type.
It was the first Jaguar to be built at the factory in Solihull, West Midlands, which is dedicated to the manufacture of aluminium vehicles under both the Jaguar and Land Rover brands.
Callum was also responsible for the original Aston Martin DB7, the Jaguar XC-75 and the Jaguar F-Type.
Speaking about the XE during its London launch, Callum said: “XE’s uniqueness is its totality.
"Customers get a complete package of progressive design, innovative technology and extraordinary driving dynamics.”
Other modern models of the Jaguar also boast the pulse feature - but it appears some don't.
One person wrote in a Jaguar forum: "Love my new F type but do miss the old XK's (and XF's) pulsing start button.
"It really did look like the car had a heart-beat.
"Is it just mine of is this now missing? Such a little thing and no reason it could not have been retained."
Almost all new vehicles come with features that promise to make driving easier, cheaper and more enjoyable - but how many do you actually know about?
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According to a recent poll, almost half of owners have no idea about their car's full potential, meaning they could be losing out on useful perks.
A further 36 per cent said they were often confused about their car's specs and have no idea what some dashboard symbols may mean.
Jaguar cars
Jaguar started as the Swallow Sidecar Company in 1922, originally making motorcycle sidecars before developing bodies for passenger cars.
Under the ownership of SS Cars, the firm expanded to make cars in association with Standard Motor Company, many bearing Jaguar as a model name.
The company name then change from SS Cars to Jaguar Cars in 1945 before merging with the British Motor Corporation in 1966, becoming British Motor Holdings.
Ford bought Jaguar in 1990 and Land Rover in 2000 before selling both to Tata Motors in 2008.
Jaguar Land Rover was merged in 2013.
The firm announced in 2021 that all cars made under the Jaguar brand will be fully electric by 2025.
