FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW: Jaguar shows off C-X16 concept

The Jaguar C-X16 concept car was unveiled on the eve of the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show at special gala event at the Palais Thurn und Taxis in Frankfurt.

Arguably one of the most attractive cars from Jag in the modern era, the C-X16 concept may not be the new generation E-Type everyone was hoping for, but it does incorporate a sideways folding rear window, a la the classic E-Type.

"What better way to start the motor show than by driving such a selection of beautiful sporting vehicles through Frankfurt, culminating with the global debut of the future of Jaguar sports cars - the C-X16," intoned Frank Klaas, the German-born Global Head of Communications for Jaguar Land Rover, who was driving a D-type at the time.

Indeed, the C-X16 concept car launch saw several classic Jaguar's in attentance, including C-Types, D-Types and E-Types and XK120s.

Just 10mm longer than a Porsche 911, the new front-engined, rear-wheel drive Jag concept coupe measures 4445mm long, 2048mm wide, and 1297mm high, and is powered by a supercharged 3.0-litre V6 engine which features a "push to pass" boost button, which dials up the car's secondary electric motor to dramatically increase acceleration.

According to the British marque, the two-seater coupe can 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.

But this particular sports car adheres to the 'mean and green' ethos, emitting just 165 grams of CO2 per kilometre while capable of reaching the 300km/h mark.

Jaguar has also debuted its next-generation touch-screen system on the C-X16 concept, along with sports seats with carbon-fibre spines and advanced climate control with an 'Intelligent Venting System' all of which are expected to make their way into production cars over the next couple of years.