Hybrid Car Review

Jaguar C-X75

Jaguar has introduced the C-X75 plug-in concept. The Extended Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV) from Jaguar has two gas micro-turbine from Bladon Jets along with two switched reluctance generators from SR Drives. The generators move the car along, while the gas turbines are there to recharge the battery that powers the generators.

Along with the above, four traction motors located on each wheel provide a total drive power of 580 kW/780 bhp. Jaguar thought it might be necessary to provide torque-vectored, all-wheel drive traction and grip when the vehicle produces 1,180 lb-ft of torque.

Twin Turbine Power Train

Full electric range is 68 miles (110 km), but will travel up to 560 miles once the gas turbines kick in (thus the 'extended range'). Acceleration is 0-62 in 3.4 seconds, 50-90 mph in 2.3 seconds and a top speed of 205 mph. Emissions are very low, at 28 g/CO2 per km on the EU test cycle.

The car’s interior is equally impressive, with the driver and passenger seated ahead of a sealed airbox that houses the micro gas-turbines. The seats are fixed to the bulkhead as in a single-seater racing car, and air to feed the turbines passes smoothly around them via channels in the structure of the body. With the seats anchored in place, the steering wheel, controls, main binnacle and pedal box all adjust towards the driver.

Dramatic theatre lighting is activated as the driver approaches the car; phosphor blue electro-luminescent wire lights illuminate the perimeter of the cabin and the turbines. When the car is started, additional blue LED lighting gently floods the door and bulkhead speaker cavities, highlighting the car’s lightweight construction. Bespoke interior materials include cream and grey leathers, polished and vapour-blasted aluminium and a soft-feel textured neoprene.

A new interface for the driver has also been created for the C-X75 using high-resolution TFT screens. Building on Jaguar’s 10-year expertise in touchscreen technology, the Jaguar Co-Pilot display in the centre console supports the driver in extracting the full potential of the C-X75 by seamlessly managing information.

The C-X75 – At a glance

• DESIGN – A celebration of 75 years of beautiful, fast Jaguars which points the way to a new design language
• PERFORMANCE – 0-100km/h (62mph) in 3.4 seconds, top speed of 330km/h (205mph) and 80-145km/h (50-90mph) in just 2.3 seconds
• PROPULSION SYSTEM – A Range-Extended Electric Vehicle (RE-EV) using a unique combination of electric motors and micro gas-turbines to increase its range to 900km (560 miles)
• EMISSIONS – A zero tailpipe emissions range of 110km (68 miles) while running solely on battery power
• SUSTAINABILITY – By capitalising on its plug-in charge capability the C-X75 will produce just 28 grams of CO2 per kilometre on the EU test cycle
• CONSTRUCTION – Jaguar’s advanced lightweight aluminium construction techniques provide great weight-saving and economy benefits. Additionally, up to 50 percent of the metal content is recycled
• ACTIVE AERODYNAMICS – Drag coefficient of 0.32Cd and active downforce created through the use of an underbody Venturi
• THEATRE – A dramatic entrance to the car is created by striking electro-luminescent wire lighting which alters to enhance the driving experience
• UNIQUE USER INTERFACE – The touchscreen Jaguar Co-Pilot interface manages the information workload by predicting the needs of the driver
• BESPOKE MATERIALS – Interior seamlessly blends traditional, hand-tailored leathers with textured neoprene panels and two different aluminium finishes