Jaguar reveals Porsche Cayman slayer in C-X16, coming to Frankfurt

First impression

The jaguar C-X16 will be debuted in front of a world audience at the Frankfurt Motor Show starting next week. The project was dubbed the X16 because it is the 16th project that Ian Callum, Jag’s star design director, and his team have worked on. The production concept is also being labeled as the successor to the E-Type that rewrote the manual on what a desirable car should look like over half a century ago. The new model is expected to do the same for a whole new generation of luxury car lovers and C-X16 is being looked on as Jag’s answer to the Cayman by Porsche with its state-of-the-art hybrid technology and its beautiful blend of performance and exterior beauty.

Jaguar C-X16

The powertrain

The Jaguar C-X16 is powered by a supercharged 3.0L V6 that is created along the lines of the 5.0L V8 that the company has already wowed the world with in their XJ, XKR, Supersports, and XFR models. Fitted with a dual-vortex supercharger, the engine also features cutting edge direct-injection technology that allows it to use the electric motor to lower the gas consumption of the model without loosing the all-important power boost.

The V6 outputs 450Nm of torque and displaces 375 horses while the supplementary electric motor that produces 235Nm of torque and outputs 95 ponies and is juiced by a Li-Ion battery pack housed behind the seating. The front-mounted engine is mated to an automatic eight-speed ZF trans to give the new Jag a performance edge rarely seen in contemporary hybrids.

Fitted with Jag’s special stop-start system, the C-X16 gets extra bursts of speed on demand with the help of the electric motor. A special light on the dash lets the driver know when the batteries are full so that they can simple press the ‘push to pass’ button on the dash and make full use of the extra torque that lasts for a good 10 seconds that is more than sufficient for the weekend highway racer to feel the adrenalin!

At a combined 41mpg fuel consumption, the C-X16 outputs just 165g/km in CO2 emissions. Going from 0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds, the new Jag delivers a top speed of 186mph.

The Exterior & Interior

The largely carbon fiber construction of the new model helps the car keep its curb weight at around 1,600kg with the aluminum chassis helping the model shave off almost 60kgs in comparison to the XK.

Picture Gallery

Jaguar C-X16

Jaguar to Porsche Cayman Rival with C-X16 Concept, Bringing it to 2011 Frankfurt Motor show

Improved aerodynamics see the door handles done in machines aluminum sit meekly in the bodywork though they do dramatically pop out as they sense the hand of the user motioning towards them. The decluttered bodywork is devoid of extra wings and spoilers though the front does get a coy little splitter; the side gets a few sills and the rear is given a quaint diffuser to finish the frills. The sides of the front grille also get twin air intakes and the back gets a high-set flat, wide deck.

Carbon fibre-laden 21-inch alloys add the craftsmen’s touch to the otherwise impeccably laser-finished look of the bodywork with gunmetal paintjob and red LEDs rounding off the somber color scheme. On the inside though, the new Jag does get a huge splash of color with the ultra-light composite seats, headlining and the dashboard getting Alcantara and bright red leather upholstery.

What’s new?

The exciting new model gets a few new novelties in the cabin like a dashing new double vent system that stays concealed until the climate control mechanism of the car instructs it to pop out and lavish the cabin with hot or cold air. Not only does it free the driver and passengers from fussing over the controls and functions of the climate control, the speed at which this nifty device performs and bows out, also adds a touch of luxury to the interiors package.

What’s refreshing?

The rear-wheel driven, front-engined C-X16 coupe is as 2012 as they come though it does nostalgically retain the square grille and the side-opening tailgate that made the E-type so iconic.

Price and availability

Set to go on sale both in coupe as well as roadster variants, the Jaguar C-X16 will make a showroom debut in late 2012 and will be priced starting from £55,000.