Jaguar C-X16 Concept

The styling is instantly recognizable as the work of Jaguar’s Ian Callum, designer of multiple Astons and Jags.  Strictly a two-seater, the C-X16 (or whatever it will wind up being called in production) will slot below the XK as an entry-level Jaguar sports car- something they promised us 11 years ago with the F-Type Roadster Concept. 

The greenhouse shows a lot of Jaguar, obviously. 
The electric motor provides an additional 94bhp and 173lb-ft of torque, and allows the C-X16 to operate on electric power only at speeds up to 50mph.
Even cooler than the electric creeper mode is the power on demand button on the steering wheel – all those sci-fi cartoons with the “turbo boost” button the race car are finally becoming real!  Jaguar says the C-X16 is good for a 4.3 seconds from 0-60mph, a 50-75mph passing time of 2.1 seconds(!), and a top speed of 186mph. 

With carbon-fiber components, an aluminum chassis, a hybrid drivetrain, and stunning aluminum body work, the Jaguar C-X16 concept is one of the most dramatic debuts at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show. "The C-X16 is our compelling vision for a 21st century Jaguar sports car," said Jaguar global brand director Adrian Hallmark. The Jaguar C-X16 is a traditional two-seat, rear-wheel-drive coupe. A long hood slopes into the car's nose and gaping front grille. Big creases extend along the car's sides and into its muscular rear shoulders -- broad, rounded haunches are a Jaguar coupe signature. Jaguar describes the car's profile as exhibiting a "double coke-bottle" curve and says the tail mimics an airplane wing.

The car is Jaguar's shortest lengthwise since the XK120 of the 1950s, and is about a foot shorter than the current XK range. Curb weight is a claimed 3520 pounds.

The brash 21-inch wheels have carbon-fiber inserts, and the subtle front fender vents conceal a red-painted mesh. The car's door handles are recessed into the bodywork, emerging only when the driver or passenger touch sensors on the doors. The motor can produce as much as 94 hp and 173 lb-ft, storing electrical power in a 1.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack mounted behind the car's rear seats. Jaguar's touch-screen infotainment system also has been revamped, now featuring physical shortcut buttons to reach certain menu functions.

Even if a hybrid sports coupe like this never arrives in dealerships, the evolution of Jaguar's styling language and underlying powertrain technology will inspire future products.

Jaguar says that its C-X16 Concept takes its power from a brand new 3.0 liter turbocharged V6 which is delivering 380 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque, along with a hybrid system with an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission, generating another 95 HP and 325 Nm of torque for a short time when the driver is pressing the “push to pass” button.

Besides the most expected car which sadly won’t hit the production line to end up in Jaguar’s line-up, the British automaker also presented three other models in the shape of the facelifted XF, XK and the XKR-S, the most powerful Jag yet.