Revealed at the Los Angeles Motor Show, towards the last quarter of 2011, the C-X16 is Jaguar’s 21st Century sport car ambition. On the tracks of the Porsche Panamera and looks of a BMW 5 series GT, the C-X16 embodies Jaguar strengths of sensual design, animal like agility and inspirational performance. The question remains though is it a concept car or will it go into production?
Jaguar is adamant that this will be their first of many sports cars to come in their slickly styled high performance luxury vehicles. There are a few markets that are targeted for launch including South Africa. The release dates are still sketchy at the moment but we are sure to find out before the fourth quarter of 2012.
As a Hybrid motor the C-X16 is powered by an experimental hybrid power train that combines a new all-alloy 3.0 Litre V6 Supercharged engine producing 280Kw and 450 Nm of torque with a performance-boosting electric motor inspired by Formula One’s KERS or kinetic energy recovery system. This allows the kinetic energy of the moving vehicle to be captured when the car brakes, and then stored for later use during acceleration. A graphic on the dashboard indicates when the additional boost provided by the electric motor can be deployed, and the driver initiates the instant power surge by pressing the ‘Push to Pass’ button on the steering wheel. When charged, the system provides an additional 70kW and 235Nm of torque for up to 10 seconds. This approach reduces fuel consumption, improves acceleration and lowers overall CO2 emissions, including allowing the C-X16 to drive as a zero-tailpipe emissions electric vehicle at speeds of up to 90Km/h on low throttle openings.
The driver is well wrapped up in a cross-pollination of leather, suede, aluminium, carbon fibre and chrome in a Kardashian red cockpit inspired bubble with a computerised intelligent venting system that warms or cools the cabin accordingly.
C-X16's body shell is constructed from aluminium using techniques derived from the aerospace industry for greater handling, faster acceleration and shorter breaking distance plus improved fuel efficiency. It also features the Intelligent Start/Stop system that utilises a TSS or twin solenoid starter. The system shuts down the engine in just 300 milliseconds after the car has come to rest and utilises the TSS to restart it in the time it takes the driver’s foot to go from the brake to the accelerator, providing seamless and faster recovery of performance.
I am still yet to learn how to open the doors though as the handles have been completely integrated into the panel, but that is not to taint the mean agility of the C-X16 especially when looking at a 21” alloy wheel stance on a sports car, which makes its size look delusional. The price tag is likely to come out at an estimate of R 850 000.00 market related without optional extras.
TMakhubedu- Editor- Autozeen
Concept or Production Sport car - Jaguar C-X16
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