- Jaguar unveils its C-X75, an all-wheel-drive turbine-electric supercar, at the Paris auto show.
- The Jag is outfitted with four individual electric motors, one at each wheel, with each motor producing 145 kW (194.5-horsepower) and 295 pound-feet of torque.
- The C-X75 concept boasts a total output of 778 hp.
PARIS — One of the most stunning concepts at the 2010 Paris Auto Show is Jaguar's C-X75, an all-wheel-drive turbine-electric supercar that the British automaker says "explores the outer limits of both performance and sustainability" and "hints at an exciting evolution of (Jaguar's) design language."
While the car's sleek two-door aluminum shell and leather-and-aluminum-trimmed cockpit measure up to the marque's high standards, the unique powertrain is like nothing yet seen in production — or on the international auto-show circuit, for that matter.
Jaguar has elected to employ four individual electric motors, one at each wheel, with each motor producing 145 kW (194.5 horsepower) and 295 pound-feet of torque. Together, the motors deliver a thumping 778 hp and 1,180 lb-ft of torque.
Here's the twist: To augment the electric motors, Jaguar also has installed a pair of micro gas turbines, each one rated at 94 hp. The lightweight turbines, which are installed amidships behind the driver and passenger, can top off the plug-in lithium-ion battery pack, extending the vehicle's range from 68 miles in pure-electric mode to 560 miles from a full tank of fuel. With the car in Track mode, the turbines act as power boosters to the electric motors, enabling a claimed top speed of 205 mph and 0-60 acceleration in less than 3.4 seconds.
The turbines can run on a range of fuels including gasoline, diesel, biofuel, compressed natural gas and liquid petroleum gas. As for the lithium-ion batteries, a full charge requires about 6 hours from standard household current.
The two-passenger C-X75 features sill-mounted air intakes, as well as active aerodynamics via an underbody venturi system that incorporates a movable airfoil and directional control of the exhaust gases to provide maximum downforce without using spoilers.
Finished in Jetstream Silver, the aluminum body panels are fitted to an extruded and bonded aluminum chassis. The forward-hinged doors swing up and out and incorporate rearview cameras, with images displayed on screens in the cabin.
The rear end of the C-X75 is shaped, according to Jaguar, "like the trailing edge of an aircraft wing," and features a carbon-fiber rear diffuser, slim LED taillamps and an active airfoil that lowers automatically as speed increases.
Turbine-spoke polished alloy wheels — 21 inches in diameter in front, 22 in the rear — wear custom Pirelli asymmetric-tread performance tires.
The cabin of the C-X75 is even more high-tech. Seats are anchored to the bulkhead, and steering wheel, pedals, instrument binnacle and major controls all adjust toward the driver. A trio of thin-film-transistor screens display critical information, and a premium Bowers & Wilkins nanotech audio system incorporates active noise-canceling technology.
The cockpit is bathed in electroluminescent light and LEDs, and is trimmed in a combination of cream and gray leather, soft-texture neoprene and polished aluminum.
In sum, the C-X75 is so well thought out and executed, we'd be surprised if it's meant simply as a design study and rolling technology showcase. If this represents the future of Jaguar, we're hugely reassured.
Inside Line says: A supercar with a conscience and some novel technological solutions that just might find their way into future production vehicles. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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fantastic says:
07:49 AM, 09/30/2010
I think de design is nice and techno is striking, enough to explore in the near future..but, aren't turbines big polluters..i'd like know to know if the pair are not noisy in the back of the driver's ears!
mklrivowner says:
06:59 AM, 09/30/2010
I like it as a concept, but I think it won't do well in showrooms. It reminds me of a fish. And not a sleek baracuda, or an elegent and powerful marlin... A bubble-eyed goldfish, and a flounder. The only good looking photo I see of this thing is the third picture on the first grouping. Dead ahead, hiding it's bulges, in still.
Keep it as a case-study, because the drive-train sounds awesome. But adapt it into some other shell.
Angry_Mushrom,
I too see the XJ220, but I never liked it's looks either. An amazing car, I'll admit (the XJ220). But not my style.
jaggyboy says:
11:21 PM, 09/29/2010
Well Captain mce63, I must say...Jaguar needs to hire you to write the verbage for the advertising of this car.
Because after reading your thoughts, I took another look at the car...and I DO see exactly what you mean.
Its not often a few sentences can sway my thinking, but I see your points.
Ok...Im sold.
Its MEANT to have a touch of "Kitch" if you will.
Its MEANT to be a quirky.
OK...I think i get it.
Im 43...so I remember the concepts of the 70s, and 80s.
mce63 says:
07:02 PM, 09/29/2010
jaggyBOY,
It may just be the era in which I grew up.
This concept really strikes a chord with me because of my discovery of cars in the '60s. One of my favorite books was Cars of Tomorrow where all the cars were bubble topped, turbine powered, 200 MPH needles. Of course that day never came. And what was stylish then is retro now.
But this concept speaks to me in a way that the new Lambo (which I also like) doesn't. It is what a '60s supercar concept would be today. From the side view, to the interior details, it exhibits the brave new world supersonic fighters and space race of that era. It's hard to make retro details work in an modern car, but this one has it.
dansmith says:
06:47 PM, 09/29/2010
QUANDRY:
THIS CAR IS THE ULTIMATE REALIZATION OF THAT MAGICAL "IT" FACTOR THAT MAKES JAGS SUCH UNIQUELY LUST-WORTHY PIECES OF UNOBTANIUM.
JUST ONE LOOK, AND YOU KNOW... THE C-X750 IS CAPABLE OF GOING OBSCENELY FAST. YET YOU CAN ALSO BE ASSURED THAT THE DRIVER AND HIS COMPANIONS ARE NOT GOING TO BE TREATED LIKE SECOND CLASS CITIZENS GRUDGINGLY BROUGHT ALONG FOR NAVIGATION PURPOSES. STRIKINGLY SENSUAL SHEET METAL AND GLORIOUSLY PAMPERING INTERIORS ARE THE KEYS TO JAGUAR'S ONGOING SUCCESS. AND EACH TIME THEY REACH FOR THE STARS, THEY'RE FULLY CAPABLE OF HITTING THE MARK. AND I THINK THEY'VE DONE IT AGAIN. I CAN HARDLY WAIT TO SEE THE "R." MODEL.
THIS CAT IS MAKING MY STEADFAST ENTHUSIASM AND RESOLVE TO BUY AN EVORA S START TO WAVER. I KNOW THAT I CERTAINLY CAN'T HAVE BOTH. I ALSO KNOW THAT THE LOTUS IS THE FAR MORE RATIONAL CHOICE. AND THAT DRIVING IT WILL BE A UNIQUELY RAW AND EXHILERATING EXPERIENCE. BUT... I REALLY DO HATE THIS.
120mmgun says:
06:31 PM, 09/29/2010
What company manufactures the turbines?
jaggyboy says:
05:18 PM, 09/29/2010
OMG...people will buy ANYTHING!!!
"greatest concept ever seen"??? WTF!!!
Are you kidding? Do a search for "supercar concepts" and ANY of the results look better than this BS!!!
DLu says:
03:32 PM, 09/29/2010
+1 angry_mushroom
I like the "FUNC" button, for the FUNC'y future-car.
akula1 says:
02:21 PM, 09/29/2010
I have a model Jaguar XJ13 on my desk.
This might be for me the greatest concept I've ever seen. Please do something w/ this Jag!
angry_mushroom says:
02:14 PM, 09/29/2010
Forget the Ferrari or the Lexus LF-A... This is the best look car yet... assuming they make it. Almost reminds me of the XJ220.