Jaguar C-X16 takes on Porsche
Wednesday 07 September 2011
• All-new two-seater sports car takes on Porsche Cayman
• Hybrid petrol V6 and electric motor
• 0-62 in 4.4 seconds and 165g/km of CO2
The Jaguar C-X16 concept will give the public a first glimpse of Jaguar’s smallest and most affordable sports car.
Set to be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show on September 13, the C-X16 is a compact, rear-wheel drive, two-seater sports car set to take on the Porsche Cayman and Lotus Evora.
The concept features a hybrid powertrain it will have searing performance and an environmental conscience. Its 3-litre V6 petrol engine with 375bhp will help charge batteries supplying a 94bhp electric motor.
Using a Formula 1-inspired “Push to Pass” button mounted on the steering wheel, drivers gain access to the extra boost from the electric motor for as long as ten seconds.
The sprint from 0-62mph takes 4.4 seconds and the C-X16 has a claimed 186mph top speed. It’s also able to travel at up to 50mph using electric alone and has CO2 emissions of 165g/km – costing £165 in annual road tax at current rates.
The production version will come to market with a V6 engine, though engineers have said the engine bay is big enough to fit a V8 if that decision is also taken.
Weight has been kept as low as possible by using a considerable amount of aluminium in the body, whose compact dimensions makes the C-X16 the smallest Jaguar since 1954.
Expected to reach showrooms next year in convertible Roadster guise, the coupe hybrid could follow close behind, for between £40,000 to £50,000.
By Andy Goodwin, senior web journalist