Jaguar C-X75 is a hybrid-electric, 2-seat, concept car produced by Jaguar in partnership with Formula One team Williams F1 which debuted at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. The C-X75 concept produces 778Â horsepower through four YASA electric motors, each of which drives one of the four wheels. The batteries driving these motors are recharged using two diesel-fed micro gas turbines instead of a conventional four-stroke engine. It is described as an ideas model that will influence future design and technology.
In May 2011 Jaguar announced plans to build from 2013 until 2015 a limited production of the Jaguar C-X75, with a downsized, boosted petrol engine instead of the micro gas turbines in the concept car. The plug-in hybrid supercar price was estimated between GB£700,000 â€" GB£900,000 (US$1.15 â€" US$1.48 million) depending on local market and taxes. A maximum of 250 cars were planned to be built in partnership with Formula One team Williams F1. The production version was expected to have an all-electric range of 50 km (31 mi). In December 2012 the carmaker announced the cancellation of production due to the ongoing global economic crisis. The car was featured in Spectre, the twenty-fourth James Bond film.
Engine and performance
Jaguar C-X75 Electric-Turbine Concept - The C-X75 hints at an exciting evolution of Jaguar's design language while paying homage to some of its most admired cars of years gone by. Advanced design features such as a ground-breaking...
In terms of performance, Jaguar envisioned a goal of their future super car reaching 330 km/h (205 mph) and accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 3.4 seconds and 80 to 145 km/h (50 to 90 mph) in 2.3 seconds. It is powered by four 145 kW (194 hp) electric motors â€" one for each wheel â€" which produce 780 hp (582 kW) and a total torque output of 1,600 Nâ‹…m (1,180 lbfâ‹…ft). Inherent in the drivetrain is the ability to independently drive each wheel across the full speed range, known as Torque Vectoring. Each motor weighs 50 kilograms (110 lb).
The micro gas turbines from Bladon Jets generate enough electricity to extend the range of the car to 900Â km (559Â mi) while producing 28Â grams of CO2 per kilometre on the EU test cycle. While running solely on battery power, the C-X75 has an all-electric range of 110Â km (68Â mi). Among other advantages, the micro turbines used in the C-X75 can be run on a range of fuels including diesel, biofuels, compressed natural gas and liquid petroleum gas. The 15kWh lithium ion battery pack weighs 185 kilograms (408Â lb). Jaguar estimates an average carbon emission of 28 g/km on European test cycle, however, the carbon emission is around 150g/km if the turbines are running.
Jaguar also focused on the aerodynamics in order to improve performance. For example, the carbon-fibre rear diffuser that guides airflow from under the car creating down-force, and includes an active aerofoil and is lowered automatically as speed increases. Moreover, the C-X75 features an extruded and bonded, aerospace-inspired, aluminium chassis, saving on weight and improving sustainability and performance.
Production
In May 2011 Jaguar unveiled plans to build a GB£700,000 (US$1.15 million) petrol-electric plug-in hybrid supercar in the UK. The carmaker planned to build a maximum of 250 cars in partnership with Formula One team Williams F1. The decision was part of a GB£5 billion investment plan, announced by Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) in March 2011 at the Geneva Motor Show, to launch 40 "significant new products" over the next five years. The model was scheduled to be built from 2013 until 2015, although it had not yet been decided where production would take place.
The C-X75 was to be built without the micro-turbines, instead, the production version would use a downsized, highly boosted petrol engine, with one electric motor at each axle. In order to create a lightweight strong structure, the chassis was planned to be made of carbon-fibre, and the engine would be mounted low for optimum weight distribution and to retain the concept’s silhouette. The C-X75 production version was expected to deliver CO2 emissions of less than 99 g/km, a sub-three second 0â€"60 mph time, a top speed in excess of 200 miles per hour (320 km/h), and a reduced all-electric range of 50 km (31 mi) as compared to the 110 km (68 mi) for the concept car.
Cancellation
In December 2012, Jaguar's Global Brand Director announced the cancellation of production due to the ongoing global economic crisis, as the carmaker considered that " it seems the wrong time to launch an £800,000 to £1 million supercar." The company expects to take advantage of part of the investment in the C-X75 development by using the C-X75 technology in future Jaguars. The hybrid technology could be used on a three-cylinder engine to give it the power of a six-cylinder engine, and the C-X75's sophisticated aerodynamics should also influence future Jaguars, while the high-pressure supercharger technology could be used on future performance Jaguars with four-cylinder engines. Jaguar announced its decision to continue working on five prototypes to be developed until May 2013. Up to three of these will then be sold at auction, while one will go into a future Jaguar museum, and the other will be kept by Jaguar for running demonstrations.
Appearance in Spectre
A Jaguar C-X75 appears in the 2015 James Bond film Spectre as Mr. Hinx's car. It takes part in a car chase around Rome against James Bond, who drives an Aston Martin DB10. Jaguar supplied seven examples to the filmmakers. Although the cars are visually faithful to the original C-X75 concept, they are mechanically unrelated. According to JLR Special Vehicle Operations chief John Edwards, the cars are "constructed around a spaceframe built to World Rally Championship spec" and powered by a "542bhp supercharged 5.0-litre V8". Although this new appearance of the C-X75 led to speculation that production plans for the car were being revived, Edwards was quoted as saying "the film was an opportunity to showcase C-X75, but it doesn’t mean a change in strategy." The car was built in collaboration with Williams F1.
See also
- Jaguar C-X16 â€" Jaguar's smaller 2011 hybrid 2-seat sports car concept
- List of modern production plug-in electric vehicles
References
External links
- Official website