A CONCEPT 'ONE PLUS ONE' SPORTS CAR

''The C-X16 is our compelling vision for a 21st century Jaguar sports car. It embodies the established Jaguar strengths of sensual design, animal-like agility and inspirational performance and combines these with attributes that set us on a course to create sustainable sports cars of the future.'' Adrian Hallmark, Global Brand Director, Jaguar Cars

DESIGN

Exterior

C-X16 moves the award-winning Jaguar design language on to the next level. The exterior design is startling in its simplicity, defined by three 'heartlines', the front wing crease, the rear haunches that wrap into the tail and the sweeping roofline.

The aluminium bodywork is wrapped as closely to chassis as possible. By stretching the main feature lines back from the focal point formed by the grille and pushing the wheels as far into the corners as possible, the car has a taut, poised-for-action stance that is unmistakeably Jaguar.

The C-X16 also showcases newly established Jaguar styling signatures such as the subtly rounded trapezoidal grille. Inspired by the C-X75 concept car and recognisably related to the current XF and XJ, this is the focal point for the front end of the car, providing instant rear view mirror recognition.

Interior

C-X16's dramatic interior is clearly centred around the driver, and underlines its 'One plus One' layout be deliberately creating as cocooned and cosseting a space as possible. The heart-stirring potential of the car is underlined by the choice of visceral Vermillion Red as the primary colour and trim theme throughout.

The interior design takes inspiration for elements of its layout from aeronautical ergonomics, such as the joystick-style gearlever and banks of toggle switches that also reference classic racing Jaguars. As a result of this thinking the dashboard has been shrink-wrapped around the driver to provide the best view forward, allowing the car to be placed with absolute precision in corners, aided by the sharp creases on top of the front wings.

INNOVATION

'Push to Pass'

C-X16 features a kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) similar to that used in Formula One. 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. Power is instantaneously available and the battery is constantly and automatically recharged as the car moves. Both the battery pack and electric motor are liquid cooled to ensure performance is maintained as heat builds up when the car moves.

Connectivity

The centre console armrest houses Jaguar's 'Connect and View' system. Developed in conjunction with Blackberry™, this allows smartphones from a range of manufacturers to be plugged into the machined aluminium tray between the front seats, whereupon the central Touch-Screen reconfigures to reflect that phone's display. The system will communicate with the majority of the smartphone's functions, providing navigation instructions, accessing the audio library and, of course, making and receiving phone calls.

Intelligent Venting System

In order to keep the top of the dashboard as low as possible, C-X16 features an Intelligent Venting System. Governed by complex algorithms built in to the advanced climate control, this double vent is initially hidden and deploys out of the dash to provide hot or cold air as needed to rapidly alter the cabin temperature, and then discreetly retracts when the desired level is reached.

Dual-Function Switchgear

C-X16 features a next generation Touch-Screen system with fingertip touch supplemented by buttons that provide shortcuts to top-level menu functions. Further controls take their inspiration from devices such as smartphones and tablets and provide multimodal functionality.

The rotary heating controls are made from machined aluminium and anodised in dark gunmetal. In the centre of each is a miniature OLED display which reconfigures according to how the controls are used. Rotating the controls alters the temperature on respective sides of the car but pushing them changes their functionality; they now control the heating and cooling functions of the seats.

The switchgear is framed in carbon-fibre and features subtle ''watch-like'' dark chrome highlights while the gearlever and dynamic mode selector switch are surrounded by red anodised aluminium to emphasise their purpose.

PERFORMANCE

3.0 Litre V6 Hybrid Engine

C-X16 is powered by an experimental hybrid powertrain that combines a new all-alloy 3.0 Litre V6 Supercharged engine with a performance-boosting electric motor inspired by Formula One's Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS).

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 50mph on low throttle openings.

Intelligent Stop/Start

To further reduce emissions and improve fuel economy, C-X16 features the Intelligent Stop/Start system and eight-speed transmission recently launched to great acclaim in the new Jaguar XF 2.2D. The system can shut down the engine in just 300 milliseconds after the car has come to rest and utilises a Twin Solenoid Starter (TSS) that is capable of restarting it in the time it takes the driver's foot to travel from the brake to the accelerator. This provides for faster recovery and seamless performance and is the first time such a system has been used with a supercharged engine.

Energy Recovery

C-X16 extends the Intelligent Stop/Start system's functionality by linking it to a transmission integrated motor generator mounted as one unit with the gearbox. This draws power from a 1.6kWh lithium-ion battery pack mounted behind the seats.

As in the most demanding motorsport environment, C-X16 employs a Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS). The battery pack is predominantly charged through a rear axle electro-hydraulic brake energy regeneration system.

Aluminium Construction

C-X16's bodyshell is constructed from aluminium using techniques derived from the aerospace industry. A unique combination of lightness, strength and torsional rigidity results in greater handling agility, faster acceleration, shorter braking distances and improved fuel economy in comparison to an equivalent steel-bodied car.

SPECIFICATIONS

* Manufacturer's Estimated Figures