Jaguar C-Type Is a Go, Mixed Feelings on this one
Jan 13, 2010 | 08:37 AM
#1
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| Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Zoo York
Jaguar C-Type Is a Go, Mixed Feelings on this one "SANTA MONICA, California — After the launch of the all-new 2011 Jaguar XJ sedan this spring, speculation has been that Jag's next move would be a coupe version of the full-size luxury liner, which would take on the Mercedes CL-Class and Bentley Continental GT. These reports are false. The XJ Coupe ain't happening. But the smaller C-Type convertible has been given the green light and will soon battle the Audi TT, BMW Z4 and Mercedes SLK for buyers.
The XJ Coupe rumors started when Jag's design director Ian Callum let it slip that his team has drawn one up. But an unnamed European source with knowledge of Jaguar's future product plans has told Inside Line that he is unaware of any such project being worked on. He said he has never even heard the idea seriously discussed.
But the less expensive and higher-volume C-Type is a go. Inside Jaguar it's referred to as the "small sports car."
Like the larger Jaguar XK, the new C-Type's chassis will be an aluminum monocoque, and we expect the C-Type will be available as a coupe and a soft-top convertible. But unlike the XK it will probably have just two seats. And we're told it will be a 2012 model.
But what engine will it use? Jag's latest naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 is just too expensive and thirsty for a small sports car in this class, and Jaguar doesn't have much else besides a six-cylinder diesel. So this is what makes the most sense; Jaguar will chop a couple of cylinders off its new V8 and create a new V6. And while they are at it, Jag's engineers will borrow some technology from their former owner and create a turbo version.
Remember, Ford owned Jag until five or six minutes ago, so Jaguar having an EcoBoost-style V6 as part of its future plans is no stretch. Plus, Jaguar needs smaller engines to put in all of its cars as fuel efficiency standards tighten. So the V6 and turbocharged V6 would then also find their way into the XF, XK and even the XJ.
Although the V8 isn't practical for the base car, Inside Line has been told Jaguar will leave enough room between the C-Type's fenders for its supercharged 5.0-liter V8 so it can make a hot-rod R version of the C-Type. That would be the one to have. Hell, Mercedes did it with the SLK55 AMG."
Source - Inside Line -->> http://www.insideline.com/jaguar/c-t...upe-aint.html:
The XJ Coupe rumors started when Jag's design director Ian Callum let it slip that his team has drawn one up. But an unnamed European source with knowledge of Jaguar's future product plans has told Inside Line that he is unaware of any such project being worked on. He said he has never even heard the idea seriously discussed.
But the less expensive and higher-volume C-Type is a go. Inside Jaguar it's referred to as the "small sports car."
Like the larger Jaguar XK, the new C-Type's chassis will be an aluminum monocoque, and we expect the C-Type will be available as a coupe and a soft-top convertible. But unlike the XK it will probably have just two seats. And we're told it will be a 2012 model.
But what engine will it use? Jag's latest naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 is just too expensive and thirsty for a small sports car in this class, and Jaguar doesn't have much else besides a six-cylinder diesel. So this is what makes the most sense; Jaguar will chop a couple of cylinders off its new V8 and create a new V6. And while they are at it, Jag's engineers will borrow some technology from their former owner and create a turbo version.
Remember, Ford owned Jag until five or six minutes ago, so Jaguar having an EcoBoost-style V6 as part of its future plans is no stretch. Plus, Jaguar needs smaller engines to put in all of its cars as fuel efficiency standards tighten. So the V6 and turbocharged V6 would then also find their way into the XF, XK and even the XJ.
Although the V8 isn't practical for the base car, Inside Line has been told Jaguar will leave enough room between the C-Type's fenders for its supercharged 5.0-liter V8 so it can make a hot-rod R version of the C-Type. That would be the one to have. Hell, Mercedes did it with the SLK55 AMG."
Source - Inside Line -->> http://www.insideline.com/jaguar/c-t...upe-aint.html:
Jan 14, 2010 | 05:16 PM
#10
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 31,976
From: Minnesota
So is the XK moving upmarket then? I always thought it was an BMW 6 series fighter, more than anything else.
Jag should let Aston Martin fight the Bentleys and leave Jag to mix it up with BMW & MB.
I do like the lines of this coupe/convertible, however.
Jag should let Aston Martin fight the Bentleys and leave Jag to mix it up with BMW & MB.
I do like the lines of this coupe/convertible, however.