Limited run of Jaguar C-X75s to receive turbine engines

When the Jaguar C-X75 was unveiled at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, it stunned the world with its hybrid powertrain which used gas turbines to charge batteries which would power electric motors driving the wheels. Teamspeed has been up close with the C-X75 concept car, which doesn’t actually use real gas turbines – they’re dummies, and the car is powered by electric motors.

So, when the announcement came that a production version of the C-X75 was on the cards, some were disappointed to find that a petrol-electric hybrid was being used, though being a Williams F1-designed turbocharged engine does help somewhat.

Now, Teamspeed has learned that a handful of production C-X75s will indeed receive the turbine engines. We have to stress that it is not a jet-powered car, but the gas turbines act as range extenders in a predominantly electric car.

It makes sense, as Bladon Jets is owned by Tata, which also owns Jaguar Land Rover, and Bladon will be keen to trial the new technology.

An announcement may even be made when Bladon Jets presents at Electric Vehicles Land, Sea, Air 2012 in San Jose March 27-28.

Watch this space.