Jaguar to build C-X75 hybrid supercar with Williams F1

The C-X75 concept in Paris. Click to enlarge.

Jaguar will develop the micro-turbine hybrid C-X75 concept car as a limited production supercar (maximum of 250), priced at between £700,000 - £900,000 (US$1.15 - $1.48 million) depending on local market and taxes. Jaguar expects the C-X75 to deliver CO₂ emissions of less than 99 g/km while being able to achieve in excess of 200 mph.

Jaguar says that the high-performance hybrid will stay true to the initial concept design study—albeit without the micro-turbines—that made its debut at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, while fulfilling requirements that allow it to be homologated for road use.

Jaguar says that it continues to develop the use of the micro-turbine technology that was showcased in the original concept C-X75. Jaguar’s parent company Tata has taken a stake in Bladon Jets, and will develop this technology as a medium-term aspiration that will play a part in Jaguars of the future.

Jaguar C-X75 will be developed in association with Williams F1 who will provide their engineering expertise in areas including aerodynamics, carbon composite manufacture and hybrid technologies.

Jaguar says that a direct technology transfer between elite motorsport and road-going production cars will be key to C-X75’s success. The supercar’s chassis will be made of carbon-fibre to create a lightweight, yet rigidly strong structure.

The road-going supercar will use a downsized, highly-boosted gasoline engine with one electric motor at each axle. The engine will be mounted low in the car for optimum weight distribution and to retain the concept’s silhouette, said Bob Joyce, Group Engineering Director, Jaguar Land Rover. The C-X75 will have an EV range in excess of 50 km (31 miles).

The C-X75 will feature a sub-three second 0-60 mph time and a top speed in excess of 200mph (322 km/h).

Never before has the company launched such an ambitious, world-beating vehicle program. This is the Jaguar of the future. The opportunity for innovation like this in the UK is part of the reason Tata Motors invested in Jaguar, and it's fantastic that products like the C-X75 can become reality.

—Carl-Peter Forster, CEO Tata Motors

Jaguar has appointed Paul Newsome to the position of Head of High Performance Vehicles; Newsome will lead the C-X75 joint project team from its base at Williams F1’s headquarters in Grove, UK. Newsome was at Jaguar Land Rover as Group Chief Engineer for Advanced Product Creation and Research between 2001 and 2007. During this time he led the concept creation of the T5 platform with its products Discovery 3 and Range Rover Sport and Jaguar XF and XJ.

He then joined Lotus as Director of Engineering, responsible both for the design and development of Lotus’ cars and Lotus Engineering, the global Engineering Consultancy. Paul presided over the engineering of Lotus Evora, Evora S and the new product concepts unveiled at the 2010 Paris Motorshow.

Source: Green Car Congress