Jaguar to build C-X75 hybrid supercar with Williams F1
06 May 2011
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| The C-X75 concept in Paris. Click to enlarge. |
Jaguar will develop the micro-turbine hybrid C-X75 concept car (earlier post) 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.
This car is amazing. Limited production and very high price, but a dream car all the same.
Posted by: SJC | 06 May 2011 at 07:02 AM
Maybe Tesla could do this for a quarter of the price?
Posted by: clett | 06 May 2011 at 08:08 AM
I do not think Tesla is into turbine engines.
Posted by: SJC | 06 May 2011 at 09:02 AM
Another supercar that asks the question: "Just how many bored billionaires are there in the world these days?"
Posted by: Nick Lyons | 06 May 2011 at 09:46 AM
Another supercar that asks the question: "Just how many bored billionaires are there in the world these days?"
Posted by: Nick Lyons | 06 May 2011 at 09:46 AM
There are suppose to be more than 1000 billionaires in the world, which is probably how many of these that they might build. It is not practical, but neither is a Gulfstream jet.
Posted by: SJC | 06 May 2011 at 11:36 AM
SJC...I don't think Jaguar will be into microturbines either LOL
It made for great press, but they have nothing to even test with so they are a looong way from doing anything like that.
Posted by: DaveD | 06 May 2011 at 11:38 AM
It's called pushing the envelope which will in turn lead to more everyday cars which are more efficient, perform well and give a decent range, otherwise we'd just end up with a milkfloat that looks like a car.
Posted by: Scott | 07 May 2011 at 06:47 AM
highly-boosted gasoline engine
So the turbines may be considered for the future, smart move. Either way, Tesla is not into range extension as far as I have heard.
Posted by: SJC | 07 May 2011 at 07:59 AM
Two motors and a boosted 4 seem a lot more realistic than 4 motors and 2 turbines
Posted by: 3PeaceSweet | 08 May 2011 at 12:14 PM
I think they still have a motor on each axle. This is more like a million dollar Fisker. Fisker has a 240 hp turbo 4 cylinder engine made by GM for the former Saturn and Pontiac two seaters.
The idea seems to be get a highly boosted 4 cylinder driving a huge alternator charging a large battery bank driving high power motors and the car will perform and it will get good mileage as well. A winning combination, if it was at the right price.
Posted by: SJC | 09 May 2011 at 05:26 PM
Their original prototype with Micro-Turbines was worked with this small UK company whom Tata Group owned Jaguard/Range Rover is still working with (See news section). http://www.bladonjets.com/technology/
Looking at the extremely small size of these micro-turbines and their increadibly low weight and effectiveness at high constant speeds, I would certainly give them a little more time to implement them as possible Range Extender of choice in a future Plug In Hybrid (Please try an SUV this time with a next gen >50KWH batery pack!).....
This still makes me dream even if I admit there may be a ton of challenges to deal with the extreme heat generated, especially while parked in small a closed garage. But a real dream if these technical challenges could be managed, and I believe they can as in former Chrysler prototype....
Posted by: CARL75014 | 10 May 2011 at 04:47 AM