Jaguar said its C-X16 ‘production concept’ will make its global debut at the Frankfurt show on 13 September.
“The C-X16 concept is a precursor to future Jaguar sports cars that will aim to set new class benchmarks in design, vehicle dynamics and technology,” the automaker said.
Autocar magazine said it thought the production version was based on a shortened version of the next-generation aluminium XK platform.
Although the car will be the same width as the XK, it is expected to be nearly 300mm shorter, with much of the extra length removed from the structure in front of the rear wheels. It’s expected to be sold as a strict two-seater in both roadster and coupé forms, the magazine added.
The front-end styling of the C-X16 will be a development of the design language that appeared on the C-X75 supercar, with the upright headlamp graphic, the four-sided grille and vertical air intake design.
According to Autocar, the C-X16 will be launched with a new-generation V6 petrol engine, which should come in both normally aspirated and supercharged versions.
There may be a V8-engined version of the car but sources have told the magazine that, if it arrives, it will be some time after the initial launch. The C-X16 is expected to go on sale at the end of next year.
A V6 diesel version of the car cannot be ruled out, although the relatively upmarket positioning of the C-X16 – it’s expected to cost around GBP50,000 — means that a four-cylinder version is extremely unlikely, Autocar added.
