Sleek C-X75 concept to inspire next Jaguar F-TYPE
Next-gen Jaguar sports car could also switch to electrified mid-engine layout to chase Porsche 911Jaguar could revive its still-born C-X75 supercar concept to inspire the next-generation Jaguar F-TYPE, which could even come with a mid-mounted electrified powertrain.
According to
, despite being unveiled almost a decade years ago, the sleek C-X75 concept will donate its striking styling to the F-TYPE sequel and it will boast a mid-mounted hybrid powertrain.Insiders speaking to the Brit mag say that Jaguar Land Rover management is favouring a C-X75-style mid-engine sports car after considering all-manner of concepts – including one for a traditional front-engine model and another for a pure-electric, battery-only supercar.
Speaking to Autocar, former design boss Ian Callum said: “There’s still a formula within Jaguar for a front/mid-engined car. I have a preference for mid-engined cars. It’s certainly something I would like to see.”
Insiders suggest that two designs are currently being explored – one for the short-nose, mid-engine concept favoured by Callum, the other a long-bonnet, front-mounted internal combustion engine that would also include a hybrid V8.
Callum suggests the beauty of the C-X75 concept was that it could come with either a battery-powered powertrain or a combustion engine.
“For an electric sports car,” he added, “you could make a shape like [the C-X75] with the batteries in a T or H shape through the middle.
"Or you could make it as a longitudinal internal-combustion mid-engined car. It would be short enough. So the style won’t dictate the drivetrain, but the drivetrain may dictate the style.”
It's already been confirmed the current F-TYPE will have to soldier on for another three years following a substantial facelift, but it's not been confirmed when its C-X75-inspired replacement will arrive.
The iggest problem facing engineers and the JLR bean counters with a switch to a mid-engine sports car is that it would require a bespoke architecture, which would demand a substantial investment from the struggling car-maker.
One cheaper possibility, following the recent announcement the British car-maker will use BMW powertrains, is that JLR could team up with the German car-maker to co-develop a new platform.
The new mid-engine platform could then underpin the replacement for the BMW i8.
A cheaper-still alternative would be to ditch internal combustion engines for the next F-TYPE and use the current I-PACE's pure-electric platform, although that architecture is thought to be more suited to SUVs and large limos.
Since it first went on sale back in 2013, Jaguar has managed to sell 62,000 F-TYPEs globally, although sales are said to have weakened in recent years with the arrival new competitors and redesigns of cars like the Porsche 911.
The C-X75, revealed at the 2010 Paris motor show, was as beautiful as it was advanced.
Created with help from the Williams F1 team's engineering division, it boasted a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine that was boosted by two powerful electric motors that could provide an EV range of 50km.
It was claimed to hit 100km/h in less than three seconds, 260km/h in six seconds and top speed of 320km/h.
Based on ultra-lightweight carbon-fibre monocoque, the all-wheel drive Jag supercar concept was said to have come close to being green-lit for production, with the car-maker planning to make 250 cars -- each priced at a cool $A1.6 million. That hasn't happened -- yet.
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