Feast your eyes on the gorgeous Jaguar C-X16 Concept, the two-seat sports car that’s set to become the spiritual successor to the sexiest Jag ever, the E-type, blogs Road Test Editor, HOWARD WALKER
Jaguar will pull the silk off the C-X16, above, at the Frankfurt Auto Show in Germany next week, describing it as a “Concept” but secretly knowing it’ll be in production within a couple of years. This is Jaguar’s rival to the all-conquering Porsche 911, a hard-edged driving machine that will slot into the Jaguar lineup below the elegant and powerful XK and XKR.
Around 14 inches shorter than the XK, the aluminum-bodied C-X16 is powered by a new 375-horsepower 3.0-Liter supercharged V6 that’s coupled to a new eight-speed automatic. This is Jag’s new production V6 that’ll be seen eventually in the XF sedan and the upcoming BMW 3-series-rivaling small sedan. The engine is essentially the company’s proven 5.0 V8 with two cylinders chopped off!
But to show-off Jaguar’s new green credentials, the C-X16 Concept features a hybrid powerpack that adds an electric motor and battery pack to the drivetrain. And here’s the cool part. Punching a button on the rim of the steering wheel, below, unleashes an extra 94 horsepower for those times you need a little extra oomph for passing.
This Push-to-Pass function – inspired by Formula 1’s KERS kinetic energy retrieval system – results in 0-to-60 mph acceleration in an impressive 4.4 seconds, according to Jag. If they offer it on the production car, that’ll be pretty impressive.
While no modern-day Jaguar can ever match the delicate beauty of the original E-type, the C-X16 is a valiant effort with its stunning side profile, powerful front end and gorgeous detailing. The razor-edge line that runs back along the top of the fenders softens through the doors and hardens-up over the rear fenders. It is just magical!
And there are a couple of quiet nods to the iconic E-type in the design of the C-X16. That side-hinged rear door was always an E-type feature; though don’t expect to see it on the production version. That and the Concept’s silver-gray paint, the color of the original 1961 Geneva Auto Show car.
Inside, they call the cabin a 1+1 on account of the focus really being on the driver, emphasizing the car’s performance bias. This is not a modern-day Jag XJS boulevardier, especially with the Ferrari racy-red leather and Alcantara (suede) upholstery.
I’m guessing that the production version of the C-X16 – they have to call it the Jaguar XE – will start off at around $70,000 (a base 911 Carrera is $77,800 and the XK starts at $84,500). And yes, there’ll be a convertible and a high-performance R model.
Finally, Jag is about to have a pure two-seat sports car in its lineup. It’s about time.
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