It’s been a long time since rumors showed up about Jaguar considering a modern interpretation of the legendary E-Type that seduced the entire world 50 years ago and also pleasing the brand’s fans that wanted a sporty baby-Jag: the Jaguar C-X16 Concept, which is scheduled to debut next week, at the 2011 edition of the Frankfurt Auto Show.
With a quite complicated codename, just like the superb C-X75 concept unveiled last year, at the 2010 Paris Motor Show and viewed by many as a Bugatti Veyron rival, the C-X16 is a compact sports car, with two seats and a power output of almost 400 hp.
And while many rushed saying that it probably previews the next-generation XK, looking at the car’s total length of 4.44 meters (14.5 feet), the new concept car from Jaguar becomes the shortest car built by the British carmaker since 1954. The other dimensions are: width, 2 meters (6.5 feet) and height, 1.29 meters (4.2 feet), while the car’s body is made of aluminum, for reduced weight. The Jaguar C-X16’s wheelbase is pretty big, at 2.62 meters (8.6 feet), but not to increase the rear passenger’s space (the coupe only has 2 seats), but to achieve a perfect 50:50 weight distribution on the rear and front axles.
Under the bonnet, the car is powered by a V6 unit with a mechanical compressor that delivers 380 hp and 450 Nm of maximum torque, while an 8-speed sequential transmission sends the power to the rear wheels. But that’s not all, because Jaguar got inspired from the Formula One and the gearbox features an integrated electric generator powered by a pack of 1.6 kWh batteries which are placed at the back of the passengers’ seats and are charged by an energy recovery system. Basically, what this semi-hybrid system does is over an additional boost when required. When a red button on the steering wheel is pushed, the car gets an extra 95-hp and 235 Nm, so the Jaguar C-X16 offers some impressive performance numbers: 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.4 seconds, 80 to 120 km/h sprint is done in 2.1 seconds and the top speed stops at 297 km/h (184 mph).
Even though the performance numbers are amazing, the C-X16 is an environmental-friendly sports car, being able to run in full electric mode at speeds up to 50 km/h (30 mph), while CO2 emissions level is at 165 grams per kilometer. However, Jaguar hasn’t released any info about the concept’s estimated fuel economy.
Now all car enthusiasts are waiting to see is what model this concept previews, if any, and we’re all waiting for the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show to get our answers.