Was know that Jaguar will unveil a smaller sports car at the Frankfurt Motor Show, but now the new car dubbed C-X16 was officially confirmed and ‘revealed’ by the British manufacturer. This official design sketch teases the concept car that will appear at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show next month.
The manufacturer describes its brand-new C-X16 as a “production concept” adding that it is a “precursor to future Jaguar sports cars that will aim to set new class benchmarks in design, vehicle dynamics and technology”.
Looking very similar with the current range of Jaguar XK coupes, the new model promises to show the future of Jaguar sports car design. While the proportions may be familiar, the concept will likely have unique, forward-looking details in the lights, aerodynamics, and interior.
It’s clear that the design characteristic is very closely related to Jaguar C-X75 concept car we saw in Paris last year. As for the power, no official details were released, but rumoured power plants are a brand new V6 engine, available in both normally aspirated and supercharged versions, and a V8 engine. A diesel version is considered.
At this time we do not have all the official details, but we know that this car is designed by the same team responsible for the XJ, XF and XK, headed of course by Jaguar Director of Design Ian Callum, who had this to say about the study:
“Great Jaguars have always been beautiful, innovative and have looked firmly to the future. The finished C-X16 concept has the potential to do these things while retaining the ability to surprise, to excite and invigorate.”
“Jaguar has set in place bold, ambitious plans for the future. This production concept demonstrates the depth of design and engineering ability we have within Jaguar to make these plans come to life – I look forward to sharing this latest, exciting step at the Frankfurt Motor Show,” added Adrian Hallmark, Global Brand Directorm.
Jaguar and Land Rover will introduce 40 new models and variants over the next five years. There is already a precedent for taking Jaguar C-X concepts to production. Beside this, in May, Jaguar confirmed it would produce the C-X75 supercar in a limited run of 250 vehicles.
When the new car dubbed C-X16 does reach production, it’s expected to be called the XE, and prices will fall somewhere between a Porsche Boxster and a 911 – meaning a starting point of around £45,000.
The model’s introduction will allow Jaguar to move the XK upmarket when it introduces the next generation in 2014.
Source: Jaguar
