Posted 09.29.2010 at 5:35 pm
14 Comments
Jaguar C-X75
Jalopnik
Happy 75th birthday to British automaker Jaguar! As a birthday present, they've actually given us something new to drool over: A 780 hp mostly-electric supercar capable of hitting 250 mph with a whopping 500-mile range, all wrapped in a body inspired by the 1966 XJ13, the car the chief designer calls "possibly the most beautiful Jaguar ever made."
Unveiled at this year's Paris Auto Show, the Jaguar C-X75 is a vision of the future, perhaps a decade or two from now, when high-efficiency, ridiculously high-powered electric cars are possible. The C-X75 is a hybrid, relying on four electric motors (one per wheel) rated at 195 hp each. Powered by a (one assumes absolutely massive) lithium ion battery pack, Jaguar says the two-seater car can get to 62 mph in 3.4 seconds, with a range of about 68 miles.
The battery works in pretty much the same way as other mostly-electric vehicles like Chevy's upcoming Volt. The car is powered exclusively by battery for the first 68 miles (the Volt gets about 40 miles, for comparison) and is then boosted by two small gas turbines. These turbines provide about 94 hp each, for a range of about 500 additional miles (the Volt's teeny gas engine nets about 300 extra miles). Those turbines work independently and can refill the electric batteries as well.
Jaguar C-X75 at Paris Auto Show: Jalopnik
The interior is luxurious as well, featuring a new series of touchscreens and a speaker system that relies on transducers that line the walls and ceiling, supposedly to compete more effectively with the giant noisy engines right behind the seats.
Of course, the C-X75 is just a concept--I doubt the quoted stats are even possible with today's tech, considering they outpace by a large margin the capabilities of modern hybrids and EVs--but usable, practical ideas could absolutely spring from it. Here's hoping we get to drive something like this one of these days.
[Jalopnik]
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It IS beautiful.
We've had dozens upon dozens of gorgeous concept vehicles over the years, why is it that we NEVER get anything in production that is as cool??
Strangely, sales, as I understand it.
There are some that make it, though - the Prowler, the Beetle, the SSR, the Scion XB, the Cube....
They make beautiful concepts and ugliest production cars... why even bother with the beautiful ones if the production isn't decent? I'm not saying Jaguar as most of their models aren't eyesores but a lot of other companies. Concept cars are such a waste and worst of all from the side I think it looks a lot like a Tesla anyway.
@Dirk Mcbratney I live in japan. I owned a cube. It was the last gen, not the one out in the USA. It is a VERY down to earth car. if you look at the current gen and last gen the progression is very down to earth. not a concept car at all.
the scion XB, no way. In Japan it is simply called the Bb. It is a VERY popular care here. In japan vans are much more common than the sedan. The cube and Bb are one of the most popular common looking cars in Japan.
Hmmm...something to give the Tesla Roadster a run for it's money (although, I believe the Tesla is all-electric)...but you can get to the market to get milk VERY fast with this Jaguar I bet before the gas engine kicks on.
Pretty nice looking car. The title states "205MPH" while the summary states "250MPH". Might want to correct that.
British automaker Jaguar. -- It is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Indian company Tata Motors Ltd. and is operated as part of the Jaguar Land Rover business.
Why does the author think these performance numbers are so far out of reach?
Does he understand that this is plug-in hybrid? It doesn't have to go 500 miles using the battery, only 68 miles (at relaxed speeds, just like the Volt can't go 40 miles all electric with the pedal to the metal).
The battery pack is likely to be about 23 kWh or so, very easy to do and the twin turbines can be purchased off the shelf. They are light, powerful and can burn just about any hydrocarbon (even biofuels).
So, this beautiful concept car can be built today using existing technology, if someone wants to spend the dough.
In fact, it's so easy that it might be a waste of time because it doesn't add anything new to automotive technology. Sure, its a beautiful and resource wasting vehicle that only the obscenely rich can afford but how is this going to help the industry at a time when we need to re-think how we use the world's diminishing resources?
I agree with gadgetmaster at least on the point about the statistics. Basically, the difference in stats compared to the volt can be explained by additional batteries(increased all electric range) and the turbine generators(extended overall range). The acceleration is simply explained by the size of electric motors. This is a higher end luxury sports car compared to the Volt, which is an economy car at the low end of the price range. Luxury market can afford the additional batteries.
Where I disagree with gadgetmaster is on the technology. They've placed the electric motors in or at each wheel. Also, using turbine generators, should be considered a technology improvement at least over the more traditional ICE used in the Chevy Volt. It will be interesting to see how these turbines function and if they can use any alternative fuels.
Honestly, This car is more doable than given credit. Performance, enthusiasts will likely push Jaguar to move the production timetable forward. Watch for this car before 2020, maybe as early as 2014.
Amazing? really? with that odd xk grill and lower intakes grafted to an otherwise spectacular body? I dunno. that kills it for me.well that and a will never make production power plant. as awesome as the notion is of a range extended turbine powered car.
Thanks
http://www.financegenie.net/
this car makes me salivate... i doubt the 500 mile range though.
Jaguar C-X75 is a super car. Super cars usually are not daily drivers but fit into a stable for millionaire collectors. They may be driven less than thousand miles a year, just during the dry summer season or just enough to keep the batteries charged. But these expensive powerful batteries for electric and hybrid cars cannot be neglected or not driven and still be expected to maintain full performance.
www.carsfind.net
I like looking at cars a lot, so this is pretty cool.
"The battery works in pretty much the same way as other mostly-electric vehicles like Chevy's upcoming Volt."
not a good example, after volt's battery problems.