LA Show: Jaguar's C-X75 Supercar Makes NA Debut

Without doubt, the star of Jaguar's stand at this year's 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show is the range-extended electric supercar concept, the C-X75, which is designed to celebrate 75 years of the marque, but also to provide a glimpse into the future of Jaguar.

The C-X75 is not only a beautifully sculptured supercar but also a technological show piece. It is motivated by four 195-horsepower electric motors, one in each wheel. A six hour domestic plug-in charge is good enough to offer a driving range of 68 miles. When the batteries are depleted, a center-mounted, 188-horsepower gas turbine engine kicks in to recharge the batteries and extend the supecar's range to a total of 560 miles.

Jaguar claims the four-wheel drive supercar is capable of reaching a top speed of 205 mph [330 km/h].

Recent media reports suggest the British company is looking into a limited-run production model based on the concept car. If true, we could see the first prototype models out in the open testing as early as 2013.

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Paris Show: Jaguar C-X75 Concept in the Flesh Plus First Videos

We've already played 'show and tell' with Jaguar's C-X75 Concept, but now we've got real live photos from the pre-show media event as well as from the British firm's Paris Motor Show stand, plus a trio of videos including one from last night's presentation.

As a refresher, the concept model is powered by four 195HP-strong electric motors, one for each wheel producing a total of 780-horsepower and a mind-blowing 1600Nm (1180lb ft) of peak torque. The car also gets two micro gas-turbines spinning at 80,000 rpm, with Jaguar claiming they can generate enough electricity to extend the driving range to a 560 miles.

The C-X75 can accelerate from standstill to 100km/h (62mph) in just 3,4 seconds and is capable of reaching a top speed of 330km/h (205mph).

Although Jaguar says the C-X75 is a pure design study created to celebrate 75 years of the marque and provide a glimpse into the design future of the firm, insiders claims there's a strong possibility we may see the car inspiring a production model.

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Paris Preshow: Jaguar's Micro-Turbine-Powered C-X75 Supercar Concept

To celebrate the big 7-5, Jaguar has rolled out its XJ220-inspired 780-horsepower C-X75 RE-EV (range-extended electric vehicle) concept. Power for this looker is supplied by electric motors working in conjunction with "micro gas-turbines", which also throw in 1180 lb-ft / 1,600 Nm of torque. Jaguar claims the 6-hour-to-charge plug-in sports car has a range of 560 / 900 km miles and an Lithium-ion-only range of 68 miles with a "potential top speed" of 205 mph (330 km/h).

The four 195-horse / 145 kW electric motors are mounted at the corners (one at each wheel) and provide torque vectoring, while the turbines - which can charge the batteries or add 188 horsepower in Track mode - are located centrally in a Texalium-lined compartment. Cooling for the turbines comes from the design of the car itself, which uses integrated channels to move air to the necessary areas.

Inside the car, people will find all the sport-lux essentials: leather, neoprene, soft-touch materials, polished and vapor-blasted aluminum, and seats mounted directly to the bulkhead "as in a single-seater racing car".

Then how does someone get into a comfortable driving position? Glad you asked; all the driver's essentials (steering wheel, gauges, etc.) move forward and then slide back for simplified ingress/egress through the out-and-up doors.

Taking a note from Saab and Spyker, there are a few aeronautical touches throughout the cabin a well. Examples include the gear shifter, a trick switch in the overhead panel that starts the car, and a "stealth" setting that reduces ambient lighting when in track mode.

Also found on the concept is "dramatic theater lighting" which lights up various areas of the car when the key fob is detected nearby, as well as certain interior areas (like the Bowers & Wilkins speakers) when the car is turned on.

Jaguar Land Rover CEO Dr. Ralf Speth says, "Performance through innovation has always been a Jaguar hallmark. From the beginning, cars such as the C-Type and D-Type pioneered aluminum construction, aerodynamic design, racing monocoques and disc brakes. The C-X75 demonstrates that the company is still leading the field in automotive design and technology."

By Phil Alex

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