New Jaguar C-X16 Sports Car - First Official Pic
Super-slinky £50k sports coupe set for Frankfurt show debut
Jaguar is calling its new show car the C-X16 production concept, and says the show car "is a precursor to future Jaguar sports cars that will aim to set new class benchmarks in design, vehicle dynamics and technology."
According to the unofficial drip-feed of info that has accompanied the new car's development, it will share a platform with the next generation XK, albeit in slightly 'sawn-off' two-seater format and with V6 power. We also know the car is going to be a harder-edged dynamically than the next XK (which itself could go very luxo-GT in the manner of the Maserati GranTurismo).
The new shared platform is an evolution of the current version, and indeed the new 'baby' is reportedly only 30cms shorter while just as wide as a current XK. But there has been a lot of work to remove weight, we've been told, the latter not through significant changes to the current XK's aluminium structure but through the adoption of lighter alloy suspension components, and the like.
Design director Ian Callum and global brand director Adrian Hallmark are both quoted in the press release accompanying the picture...
Ian Callum: 'Great Jaguars have always been beautiful, innovative and have looked firmly to the future. The finished C-X16 concept has the potential to do these things while retaining the ability to surprise, to excite and invigorate.'
Adrian Hallmark: 'Jaguar has set in place bold, ambitious plans for the future. This production concept demonstrates the depth of design and engineering ability we have within Jaguar to make these plans come to life - I look forward to sharing this latest, exciting step at the Frankfurt Motor Show.'
There's a bit more background stuff here, in case you missed it, but we can't tell you much more for now other than the prices are likely to start at around the £50k late next year.
Oh, and we're ready to bet on the real C-X16 getting more column inches than anything else at Frankfurt, a new Porsche 911 notwithstanding...
Would be nice if they could make it really small, as in SLK/MX5/Z4 small.
Now it'll be a little longer than a Boxster, but with the engine in the front and no rear seats, they could make it tighter.
Anyway, it'll be nice to have this around, I'm hoping it'll be a looker and than they're onto something good.
The Boxster didn't do bad for Porsche, and this will probably be one of it's main competitors (packaging & price).
Edit: posted it here, don't know how it happened but I've created another thread...
Personally I would have preferred something a little more radical for their sportscar and less like an XK. Mid engined with V8 option: Ferrari handling and go at a third of the price would have been perfect but it is still a very pretty shape. Without the platform sharing we would probably never get it at all.
I know it's because they "just" sawed off a piece of the bigger chassis, but that doesn't mean I'm not disappointed by the (relatively) small difference in size (for reference: the difference between the CLK and the SLK is 0,6m, so double of this).
Makes no sense to me.
If you want to slate a brand for falling into blandness, direct your anger at the creators of this beauty:
Remember this is 30cm shorter than the current XK, but the new XK will most likely be larger in all directions, heavier and more luxurious. So really, this car is intended to replace the XK (albeit with a smaller engine) which has been gathering a stronger following as they've made it more hardcore. The new XK will then return to the ground traditionally covered by the SIII E-Type, XJS, XK8 and XK.
I'll reserve judgement for now as Jaguar have been on a roll recently. I hope it's a success.
Looks pretty though, but I'm reserving excitement until we get to see the whole car in the flesh and an announcement that it is definitely absolutely going into production. Please Jaguar - don't tease us again.
It just makes me laugh, this Jaguar will probably be very very good indeed, it is very rare they make a bad car and they are on a roll at the moment with some excellent designs.
Maybe the PH masses should design a super car that costs a fiver, goes like stink and twangs the g-strings off the most beautiful women in the world at 50 paces. I am sure Jaguar would pay a pretty penny for that design
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