Jaguar is all set to turn its impressive concept Jaguar C-X75 hybrid into a Bugatti Veyron competing flagship production by 2013. The luxury car manufacturer will take help from the Williams F1 team for building this project.
This project will involve direct transfer of technology between both the companies especially in regards to lightweight structures. This will bring the Tata Motors Co. more closer to the Formula 1 connection which has been rumoured about often.
The chief of Tata, Carl-Peter Forster announced along with Sir Frank Williams in London, that this decision would change everything that Jaguar does for many decades to come. The company is currently planning around 250 cars and is working on jet powered idea for the C-X75.
While they will be selling only a limited edition of this concept model, there are strong hints that many of their models could rely on 1.6l highly boosted engines in relation to the Williams F1 and other Formula 1 teams’ four cylinder engines from 2013. The Williams team currently relies on a Cosworth engine which is built in Northamptonshire.
The concept Jaguar C-X75, which is named tentatively till production begins will feature electric drive plug-in motors on the rear and front axles and as a result have a four wheel drive layout. No details as to the powertrain is available so far, however it seems likely that the four cylinder motor could easily deliver 500bhp and above powering the wheels in parallel to the electric motors.
The total power produced could be as much as 1000bhp, however the car will also feature an electric only approach for use in urban area. Jaguar has promised a top speed of 321kph with an acceleration of 0-160kph in under six seconds as well as an electric range of 48km.
With these features no other vehicles come close to signifying the renewed excellence and confidence in regards to technological innovation. This concept model has been tipped to retail between Rs.5.1 to Rs.6.5 crore when it will be launched in the market after two years. It will be engineered, designed and built wholly in Britain.
It will be available in both jet and turbo powered variants which will make use of a chassis of carbonfibre tub which is estimated to weigh under 1400kgs as well as feature composite construction knowledge from the Williams F1 team.
The company has not yet released information as to when the car will be released, however much of the work on the car has already been carried out near Coventry at their Whitley engineering centre. While the production form will be mostly similar to that of the concept, minor alterations and dimensional changes to outlets, aerodynamic equipment and air scoops can be expected.
Of the 250 models that Jaguar plans to build, 200 are most likely to be turbo four cylinder engines. The variant which will make use of Bladon gas miniature turbine engines for driving generators will be added later on to their programme, with much development still left. The owner of Jaguar, Tata, had acquired interest in the Worcestershire gas turbine company, Bladon Jets.
In either variant, the electric power is to be stored in the 230kg lithium-ion battery which is located in the back of the models carbon tub. Jaguar officials have said that the performance might even exceed the figures which were quoted for their 1350kg car in Paris in 2010.
The lead engineer of the project Nigel Taylor has projected a top speed of 330kph with an acceleration of 0-100kph in around 15.5 seconds. Of the 250 models that Jaguar plans to build around 50 will be race variants.
