Revealed: Jaguar C-X75 Concept

Fantasy jet-assisted supercar imagines 205mph with 560m range

By Chris-R / Wednesday, 29 September 2010 / Loading comments

C-X75 Jaguar on the 'catwalk' tonight

Jaguar has unveiled its Paris show concept to an invited audience of media types in Paris tonight - it's an electric supercar powered by lithium-ion batteries supplemented by 'micro gas-turbines' for extra power.

Before you get too excited, the only part of the new car likely to see the light of day is the front end, which heralds the new design treatment for future Jaguar production models. The rest is a stunning fantasy, created to celebrate Jaguar's 75th anniversary, and hopefully to 'steal the motor show' that opens here in Paris tomorrow.

It's all about extremes, says Callum

Tonight's event was supposed to be a private preview, but Jaguar realised it was unlikely to keep a lid on the project once revealed and relaxed the embargo - hence you can all see it now.

"Supercars are all about the extremes - extremes of performance and extremes of shape," said Jaguar design boss Ian Callum at the reveal, before thanking Jaguar's advanced design director Julian Thomson for his work on the project.

We didn't get any more quotes, as we had to hot-foot it back to our hotel to post the story, but hopefully we'll pick up a few more insights during the press conference due to be broadcast live here on PH tomorrow.

As befits a concept, the C-X75 showcases some pretty advanced technology - specifically a pair of micro gas-turbines behind the driver, that act as 140kw range-extenders for the battery powered motors.

A new front treatment for XK models?

Each weighing 35kgs, they produce 70kw of energy apiece at 80,000rpm, and are dependent on airflow sucked into the car via those deeply sculpted side vents. They don't provide thrust, but drive generators instead. According to Jaguar, they can run on a range of fuels including diesel, biofuels, CNG or LPG - and the units in the concept have been er, conceived with the help of British partner Bladon Jets.

With four 145kw (195bhp) traction motors and the aforementioned turbines, Jaguar reckons the C-X75 could be good for 205mph, with a 0-62mph time of 3.4secs and a range of a whopping 560miles. Which would be pretty amazing, if we could drive home in it today!

Read Jaguar's official press release here