Tuesday 13th September 2011

Frankfurt: Jaguar C-X16 Makes Show Debut

Glitzy night on the town for Jag's 911 rival

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Ralph Speth (CEO), Callum & Hallmark

What's the same size as a 911(ish), can match an Aston Martin Vantage for performance, and costs the same as a spec'ed-up Porsche Cayman? Yep, it's the new Jaguar C-X16, on the prowl for the first time on the mean streets of Frankfurt.

Well OK, it's not actually been prowling the streets, but it's certainly been making a big noise in the town. Tonight Jaguar took over Frankfurt's newly renovated Thurn Palais for a media preview of a machine destined to take the fight to Germany's sports car specialists, and its introduction by chief designer Ian Callum was received with spontaneous applause from the assembled hacks.

While the firm won't officially confirm the C-X16 for production, everyone knows it's coming. And in fact, while concept cars traditionally lead us on flights on fancy, the C-X16 on show in Frankfurt is fully-engineered and fully regulation compliant in every single area apart from the internal structures of its seats. Even the hybrid tech with it's 'push to pass' button has been engineered for real life - so basically the whole plot is technically feasible in the condition we see it now.

New Jaguar will undercut 911...

Speaking tonight, Jag's global brand boss Adrian Hallmark confirmed the car (if/when built..!) will be pitched at €60k-€80k depending on powertrain options, which should make it look very good value against the new 911 (Albeit without the benefit of the 2+2 option.)

While there's been no official statement on what those powertrain options would be, it's expected that the supercharged hybrid version will be the range-topper, and a normally aspirated six-cylinder version is likely to be the lead-in car.

So why won't they just go ahead and announce the car is a go-er today? It's all down to perception, says Adrian, who reckons the car buying public have still to get used to the idea of the 'small' Jaguar sportscar being a genuine 911 contender, and not a Boxster rival - which is the small Jag we've all been expecting/hoping for, over the last decade or so...

You can read all about the C-X16 in our earlier article here.

[TheForceV4]

What an ABSOLUTE beauty! I'm gobsmacked from every angle!!!

[drchris]

Looks awesome but wasn't this supposed to be a £50k car?

[craigjm]

Nice looking but if its the same quality as the rest of the range I will pass. My XF was always in the shop and once you got past the look of quality it was actually pretty average.

[Chris-R]

drchris said:

Looks awesome but wasn't this supposed to be a £50k car?

Yep - price quoted tonight was in Euros. So starting at £52k according to xe.com

[PompeyM3]

Nice. Jaguar have got a very good range of quality cars these days

[MartinF]

This looks incredible. Incredible enough for me to forget about the Cayman S I was due to order and wait a year for one of these.

That said, it will be interesting to read the inevitable comparison reports and I wonder how many speculators will be on board at launch, snapping up a couple of early models and charging a £10k premium.....

[Fire99]

Well done Jaguar. More 21st century cars. I like their direction.

[craigjm]

MartinF said:

This looks incredible. Incredible enough for me to forget about the Cayman S I was due to order and wait a year for one of these.

That said, it will be interesting to read the inevitable comparison reports and I wonder how many speculators will be on board at launch, snapping up a couple of early models and charging a £10k premium.....

It won't compare to the current Cayman S as the new one will be out by then. Personally I would always rather have the mid engined layout of the Cayman but thats just me.

[JuniorJet]

As I said in the last relevant thread, Jag are definately going in the right direction with this. Hopefully this won't be a one hit wonder.

[Thorburn]

Chris-R said:

Yep - price quoted tonight was in Euros. So starting at £52k according to xe.com

With a normally aspirated V6..... More like €80,000 for the supercharged, hybrid, V6 previously quoted.

What a surprise, if it sounds too good to be true....

[anonymous-user]

WHOAH! ME WANTS IT!

Looking at those pictures the best view looks like the rear. I suppose they've got to give the Porsche drivers something nice to look at!

[bigbubba]

I can't think of a car that Jaguar has produced since the e-type that has had the same sort of reaction as this.

There have been concepts that have been equally well received but I can't help but think that this will end up being a pivotal car for TATA Jaguar.

Good Luck to them.

It is a shame it is no longer British owned but maybe this would never have bene possible had it been.

BB

[benebob]

bigbubba said:

I can't think of a car that Jaguar has produced since the e-type that has had the same sort of reaction as this.

There have been concepts that have been equally well received but I can't help but think that this will end up being a pivotal car for TATA Jaguar.

Good Luck to them.

It is a shame it is no longer British owned but maybe this would never have bene possible had it been.

BB

British owned? When was the last time it was British owned (not counting the British Gov't money injections)? I see Tata doing more for Jaguar then BL and Ford did over 30+ years in the short time they have been at the helm. I even have little issue with some components being made in India or some models being made elsewhere. BMW and Mercedes both make cars in the US Southern States, paying crap wages. If it keeps them alive and making fine autos with a larger line up then so be it.

For me I just wish their new models could actually tow a decent trailer (downside of aluminum) and there was still an awd option. Sadly, it looks like I'll keep the X Type and XJR X308 around as long as I can. While beautiful I don't see a 2 seat Jaguar taking the place of my TVR anytime soon but it might make a good 1st car for my daughter in 10 years.

[scholesy]

Fantastic looking car, can't really fault the concept personally, if it goes as well as it looks, I would definitely take one over a porker!

[Ian156]

benebob said:

I don't see a 2 seat Jaguar taking the place of my TVR anytime soon but it might make a good 1st car for my daughter in 10 years.

I hope you are joking?!!!

Anyway, what an absolute stunner. Love the back. Reminds of the Interceptor.

[DrRazzle]

bigbubba said:

I can't think of a car that Jaguar has produced since the e-type that has had the same sort of reaction as this.

There have been concepts that have been equally well received but I can't help but think that this will end up being a pivotal car for TATA Jaguar.

Good Luck to them.

It is a shame it is no longer British owned but maybe this would never have bene possible had it been.

BB

[thewheelman]

Stunning car, & at that price point it will sell very well indeed. Right now Jaguar are doing everything right, about time, & well deserved. If this is what Indian ownership does for a company, then i hope an Indian company could raise an interest in TVR.

[Carnnoisseur]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, simply stunning. Love it!!

[thewheelman]

benebob said:

I don't see a 2 seat Jaguar taking the place of my TVR anytime soon but it might make a good 1st car for my daughter in 10 years.

I don't think this Jaguar is aimed at replacing the old wedge TVR, also they're at slightly different price points.

[bosshog]

Man I want that!