FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW: Jaguar C-X16

Jaguar's sleek new-generation entry-level sports coupe has been outed in concept form a week ahead of its official Frankfurt motor show unveiling. Powered by a supercharged 3.0-litre hybrid (petrol/electric) V6 engine with a "push to pass" boost button on the steering wheel, the C-X16 reveals the direction in which Jaguar will take with both its technology and its design.

"The C-X16 is our compelling vision for a 21st century Jaguar sportscar," said Adrian Hallmark, Global Brand Director for Jaguar Cars this week.

"It [C-X16] embodies the established Jaguar strengths of sensual design, animal-like agility and inspirational performance and combines these with attributes that set us on a course to create sustainable sports cars of the future," Hallmark stated.

The two-seater coupe has enough power to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds, thanks to the V6’s 280kW/450Nm output an extra boost via a F1-style KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) hybrid set-up.

Top speed for the Jaguar C-X16 Concept is 300km/h, yet the car is claimed to emit CO2 of only 165g/km - about the same as a small four-cylinder diesel engine - thanks to its hybrid powertrain and engine stop-start system.

The British carmaker says the driver-focussed car's small carbon footprint is possible thanks to part electric drive. Installed inline with the coupe's eight-speed auto transmission, it allows the car to drive on pure electricity (for short periods) at speeds of up to 88km/h. The electric motor is powered by a relatively small 1.6kWh battery pack that delivers an additional 70kW/235Nm which is also available via the "push to pass" boost button on the steering wheel.

Regenerative braking is employed to recharge the battery pack.

Measuring 4445mm long, 2048mm wide, and 1297mm high, the Jaguar C-X16 is slightly longer than a Porsche 911 (4435mm). It features a flowing roofline designed to reduce its drag coefficient. Interestingly, it has no boot lid - instead the rear window folds out sideways like the traditional E-Type 2+2's rear glass.

Furthermore, the new Jag concept is underpinned by an "immensely strong aluminium architecture" that ensures a perfect 50:50 weight distribution.

"This car has been designed from first principles," states Ian Callum, Director of Design for Jaguar Cars. "It is an evolution of the design ethos of past Jaguars and defines the agenda for a future of dramatic, innovative sports cars."

Other features of the C-X16 that are expected to make their way into future production vehicles include Jaguar's next-generation touch-screen system with short-cut keys, advanced climate control with an 'Intelligent Venting System' and light weight composite sports seats that feature carbon-fibre spines.

Kevin Goult, Jaguar Australia's Brand Manager, told motoring.com.au "...it's absolutely no secret that Jaguar has a strong desire to widen it's product portfolio, which may include a sports car in the future, [but] I cannot discuss when that may be - the C-X16 previews Jaguar's future design and technology thinking but I couldn't possibly comment on future product and timings."

Though Goult wouldn't say if the production version of the C-X16 concept would come to Australia, he pointed out that local demand for high end European sports cars has always been strong. "I would expect Australian buyers to be interested in this type of production concept, it offers the market something exceptional and something desirable - Jaguar has a long and successful history with sports cars and the C-X16 definitely delivers... It'll certainly give some of the German sports cars some competition and give the buyers of these cars something to think about!"

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