FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW: Jaguar C-X16 concept confirmed
The cat is out of the bag... Jag will reveal an all-new small sports car to rival the Porsche Cayman at the Frankfurt motor show in SeptemberJaguar has today released the first teaser sketch of its C-X16 production concept car, which is due to be unveiled to the public in mid September at the Frankfurt motor show.
Only this design sketch has been released by Jaguar thus far, but it's clear the new concept car confirms rumours that the company has been working on a new 'affordable' sports car that will be roughly the size of a Porsche Cayman. The front-engined, rear-wheel drive vehicle is likely to be powered by a tweaked version of Jaguar's 3.0-litre V6 engine, but 5.0-litre V8 variants may be offered as well, and hybrid petrol-electric powertrains shouldn't be ruled out either.
Though its production name is still not known, the small sports car that will evolve from the C-X16 concept may be called the XE, paying homage to one of the most famous Jaguars of all time, the E-Type -- which coincidentally celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Could this be a modern-day E-Type?
It will certainly be smaller than the company's flagship coupe, the XK, and will give the British brand a new way to attract BMW Z4 and Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class buyers.
According to a media statement, Jaguar says the C-X16 "is a precursor to future Jaguar sports cars that will aim to set new class benchmarks in design, vehicle dynamics and technology."
Jaguar's Director of Design, Ian Callum, had this to say: "Great Jaguars have always been beautiful, innovative and have looked firmly to the future. The finished C-X16 concept has the potential to do these things while retaining the ability to surprise, to excite and invigorate."
More details on the C-X16 will be revealed in the weeks leading up to the Frankfurt motor show, and as Jaguar's Global Brand Director Adrian Hallmark commented, the small sports car concept is the next step in grand expansion plan.
"Jaguar has set in place bold, ambitious plans for the future. This production concept demonstrates the depth of design and engineering ability we have within Jaguar to make these plans come to life – I look forward to sharing this latest, exciting step at the Frankfurt Motor Show."
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