Jaguar's C-X75 Gets One Step Closer To Production

Jaguar’s million-dollar-plus C-X75, like Porsche’s 918, is the stuff modern auto enthusiast dreams are made of. Who wouldn’t want an automobile that delivers supercar levels of performance with hybrid-like fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions?

Jaguar C-X75 Supercar

Like the Porsche 918, Jaguar’s C-X75 is being put into production. Unlike Porsche’s uber-hybrid, however, Jaguar will build two variants of C-X75, including a conventional plug-in hybrid using a Williams F1-developed four-cylinder turbocharged engine, lithium-ion batteries and a pair of electric motors.

The second version of the C-X75, however, is far more interesting. Power will come from both lithium ion batteries and a pair of gas-fired microturbines, driving an electric motor at each wheel. This C-X75 variant will sprint from 0 - 62 mph in 3.4 seconds, and it’s said to have a top speed of over 200 mph.

Compared to the gasoline-powered generator in the Chevy Volt or Fisker Karma, the microturbines have significant advantages.  First, they weigh only 77 pounds each, so the pair weighs significantly less than a conventional engine. They’ve got fewer moving parts, and they don’t require conventional water cooling or lubrication systems, either.

As Auto Express reports, these microturbines are now one step closer to reality, as Tata, Jaguar’s parent, has opened a new factory in Coventry to build microturbines for the C-X75. Called the Bladon Jets Engineering Center, the facility’s 15 employees will be responsible for the production and testing of the turbines.

If the concept proves to be both practical and cost-effective, it could potentially change the way we power automobiles in the not-too-distant future. Here’s hoping that Jaguar finds a way for the technology to trickle down to more affordable vehicles.

Source: Motor Authority

Report: Jaguar launches production of turbine engines for C-X75 supercar

Of the 250 units of the Jaguar C-X75 supercars to be made, only a handful will get turbine engines. Tata Motors, Jaguar’s parent company, has opened a factory that will build those gas turbine engines for the C-X75 in Coventry.

Jaguar C-X75 Concept Car

Known as the Bladon Jets Engineering Center, the facility will employ 15 people and will house equipment used for the production of the small gas turbines. Each engine produces around 95-hp.

The Jaguar C-X75 Concept was powered by four 195-hp electric motors – one for each wheel – producing a total of 780-hp and a peak torque of 1,180 lb ft. On battery power alone, the C-X75 has a range of 68 miles. After power from the lithium-ion batteries ran out, the C-X75 Concept was to use two gas micro-turbines that produce a total of 188-hp and extend the range to 560 miles. Mated to a single-speed transmission, the Jaguar C-X75 Concept ran from 0 to 62 mph in 3.4 seconds with a top speed of 205 mph.

Of the 250 units that don’t get the turbine, Jaguar will fit them with a 4-cylinder turbo engine produced by Formula One team Williams.

Source: Auto Express

Jaguar C-X75 and C-X16 concepts unveiled at Delhi Auto Show

Jaguar C-X75 Concept displayed at Delhi Auto Show

Concepts C-X75 and C-X16 were showcased by Jaguar at the Delhi Auto Show 2012. X Range from Jaguar is their answer to future while their current variants XF, XJ and XK, are already making waves in various auto markets around the globe. These two new concepts from Jaguar, C-X75 and C-X16 are a clear indication of Jaguar's continued dedication and loyalty to development of new technology.

Mr. Adrian Hallmark, Global Brand Director of Jaguar said that both these concept cars have drawn the attention of customers during their global launches. Here at the Delhi Auto Expo, these concepts are to showcase Jaguar's determination and dedication to producing some electrifying, competent and elite luxury supercars.

It was Ratan Tata who unveiled the concept C-X75 at the Delhi Auto Show on January 5th 2012. This hybrid car will have independent electric motors on all four wheels and CO2 emission of less than 99 gms/km. It will run on fuels like diesel, bio fuel, CNG and LPG. C-X75 has been named after Jaguar's 65th anniversary where C stands for Concept and X stands for Experimental. However, there was no word on when these two vehicles would go into production and what will be their price tags.

Jaguar C-X16 Concept displayed at 2012 Delhi Auto Show

Source: Rush Lane

Video: The Creation of the Jaguar C-X75

The Jaguar C-X75 concept was a product of design heritage and a celebration of technology.

Jaguar recently produced this video showing the creation process of their C-X75 concept.And it is quite possible the best four minutes of our day so far as we can see in greater detail the time and effort put in.Drawing inspiration from their one-off XJ13 that was originally built for Le Mans duty (but wasn't eligible in the end due to new regulations), chief designer Ian Callum and his team have crafted a drop-dead gorgeous machine.

First revealed a year ago at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, the C-X75 is powered by four 194hp electric motors, one for each wheel, which produces a total of 780hp and 1,180 lb-ft of torque.

What powers these motors are two diesel-powered micro gas turbines in place of a conventional gasoline-powered engine. Jaguar has stated that C-X75 will make production, but its engine technology will not be in the final version because of ongoing development.

Source: Car Buzz

Williams wants to become Jaguar's Racing partner

 

The Williams Formula 1 team has a long and somewhat checkered history at the pinnacle of motor sports, and like some of its competitors, have delved into the business of sports cars. Williams was full at hand with the development of the Renault Clio Williams from the early to mid ’90s, and had even developed a concept van called the Renault Espace F1, which was a minivan with a Renault engine taken from an F1 race car.

While on the motor sport side, Williams is still doing business with Renault (with whom they have just signed on with again for the 2012 season), however it is also working with Jaguar on a very special road car.

The car in question is the C-X75 supercar that Jaguar has decided to put into production. This hybrid supercar will use kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) similar to the ones used in Formula 1 racers, and Williams is responsible for perfecting this technology for use in this super Jaguar.

Williams chairman Adam Parr wants to take thing even further, saying; “We would like to become the competition and sporting side of Jaguar.” In other words, Williams could become the AMG of Jaguar road cars.

Williams has been on hand with the C-X75 from the very beginning. Parr said; “When the C-X75 was first envisaged it was powered by two turbines manufactured by Bladed Jets, which is part owned by Jaguar owner Tata Motors. But we have concentrated on adopting a path that will make the C-X75 the cleanest and more environmentally friendly supercar of all time. “So at the moment we are concentrating on a downsized internal combustion engine combined with some pretty amazing kinetic energy recovery systems.”

This partnership could lead to this technology trickling down to more Jaguar road cars, and could also spawn the return of Jaguar in competitive racing.

Time will tell what more this partnership will bring. For now, expect to see the production C-X75 to hit the showrooms in about two-years time.

Jaguar mulling entry-level sedan and hybrid supercar to challenge BMW

Jaguar CX-75

A lot has changed at Tata Motors since the company took over British automakers Jaguar and Land Rover. The acquisition instantly put Tata Motors among the league of top automakers of the world and this has become more evident from the fact that the Indian automaker now plans to challenge German auto giant, BMW with their very own hybrid supercar and an entry-level sedan. Jaguar has already unveiled a concept of the hybrid supercar that could roll out in the near future.

The new supercar named, Jaguar CX-75 was unveiled to celebrate 75 years of Jaguar design. The new hybrid supercar features ground breaking technologies in automotive propulsion. The Jaguar CX-75 uses twin gas micro-turbines from Bladon Jets to power two switched reluctance generators from SR Drives.  Four 145 kW (195 bhp), 400 N·m (295 lb-ft) traction motors are used at each wheel with a total drive power of 580 kW/780 bhp.

Tata Motors also plans to introduce an entry-level sedan to take on premium cars like the BMW 3-Series, Audi A4 and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. This car will placed below the Jaguar XF which is the segment where Jaguar does not have a single product to compete with its rivals. Tata plans to invest $2.5 billion annually in product development at Jaguar and sister brand Land Rover over the next five years which will also include an upgrade of its current portfolio as well as adding new cars to it.

Also, the new entry level sedan is important for the company, particularly in emerging markets like India. Jaguar also plans to introduce an entry-level diesel model of the Jaguar XF. Tata Motors has also chalked out plans to assemble Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles in India which will bring down the price of these cars substantially. At present most of the cars are imported as CBUs.