2014 Jaguar C-X75 Supercar Nears Testing Phase: Turbines Out, All-New Four-Cylinder In

 The Jaguar C-X75 sports car, previewed by a concept at the 2010 Paris auto show, is nearing production. Jointly developed with Williams F1, the lightweight hybrid will be powered by two powerful electric motors (one at each axle), with a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine pulling range-extension duties. This four-cylinder engine is not a commodity part but an entirely new unit co-developed with Williams F1.



The two miniature gas turbine engines that served as range extenders in the concept car won’t make it into series production—and were never intended to, we are told from a source within the company. Rumors abound on a racing version that makes use of the turbines, but we couldn’t get firm confirmation. Jaguar has promised that research on the turbine technology continues—including via Indian mother company Tata Motors—but it is far from ready to be offered to customers for street or track use.

The roadgoing C-X75 will be a 200-mph-plus supercar; performance targets include 0 to 60 mph in less than three seconds and 0 to 100 in less than six. It will be sold in the U.S. for around $1 million. Tests of prototypes should begin within the next few months, so you may want to start pinching your pennies. Expect the final car to arrive in late 2013 or early 2014.

Read More: http://blog.caranddriver.com/2014-jaguar-c-x75-nears-testing-phase-turbines-out-all-new-four-cylinder-in/

AUTO SHOWS: First Look: Jaguar XF Sportbrake

We have previously seen leaked photos, Twitter images, and Christmas-themed teasers, but now it's time to see the Jaguar XF Sportbrake in all its glory. The British automaker revealed these photos of its newest station wagon, which will make its official debut next week at the Geneva Motor Show.

Though the front of the car looks just like a regular Jaguar XF, the company confirms that every body part aft of the B-pillar is new or unique to the Sportbrake. Even so, the XF Sportbrake is only 0.2 inch longer than its sedan forbear, and weighs only 154 pounds more than the sedan. Rear-seat passengers also enjoy an extra 1.9 inches of headroom compared to in the four-door.

The Sportbrake's razor-straight beltline leads to a rounded tail, with an elegant curved spoiler, and a roofline that tapers down after the C-pillar. The taillights, partially bisected by a chrome trim strip that spans the width of the liftgate, are nearly identical to those on the regular Jaguar XF. The cargo area features an underfloor storage system with three compartments to hold smaller items, a soft-close feature for the liftgate, LED illumination, and remote levers to make folding the rear seats easier.

Cargo capacity with the rear seats in place is 19.4 cubic feet, up from 17.7 in the sedan, while folding the seats provides an ample 59.2 cubic feet of storage. Most of the rear chassis is common between the XF Sportbrake and the sedan version, although the wagon has self-leveling air suspension to cope with extra loading while also providing sporty handling. Jaguar also says the XF Sportbrake will be "an accomplished tow vehicle."

The European version of the car will be powered by either a 187-hp turbodiesel 2.2-liter inline-four, or a 271-hp turbodiesel 3.0-liter V-6. An eight-speed automatic transmission with rear-wheel drive is standard. The Jaguar XF Sportbrake makes its official debut in Geneva before going on sale in Europe in the third quarter of this year.

Read more: http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/geneva/2012/1203_jaguar_xf_sportbrake/index.html#ixzz1owLJzmc3