A famous Big Cat is about to roar into view again. This silver dream machine is the all-new C-Type – and it’s set to turn the spotlight on Jaguar.
We previously revealed the Coventry firm’s plans for an exciting new roadster. Now, Auto Express has learned Jaguar is planning to take the stunning sports car further upmarket.
Sitting below the XK, the C-Type line-up will cost between £45,000-£50,000, targeting top-end performance cars such as Audi’s TT RS, the Mercedes SLK 55 AMG and Porsche’s Cayman with a blend of pace, luxury and practicality.
Following the radical but well received XF and XJ, the newcomer is another exciting departure for the brand. It is likely to be available as a fixed-head coupé or, as shown by our illustrations, a roadster.
As you can see from our images, the C-Type will be a forward-looking design with an XJ-style grille and distinctive headlight arrangement.
With a lots of chrome mesh, sporty air intakes and a bold bonnet bulge, it has plenty of road presence. That continues in the sculpted edges along the flanks, vast chrome alloys and pert but muscular tail complete with twin exhaust pipes. An electrically operated folding canvas roof, to be stowed behind the occupants’ heads, completes the look.
The C-Type will be also be practical. Similar in size to Audi’s A5, it will have a useful boot and while our images show only two seats, the finished article is likely to have four.
As with the XK, the new C-Type’s chassis will be an aluminium monocoque with extruded body panels, an arrangement that is lightweight but highly strong and stiff, benefitting handling response and also refinement.
Power will come from Jaguar’s latest 5.0-litre V8, producing 380bhp. There’s also the possibility of a twin-turbo diesel and even an R version powered by the company’s supercharged 500bhp V8.
All models will get Jaguar’s super-slick six-speed automatic transmission, complete with paddle shifters. Expect the C-Type to arrive in concept form in 2011, with the production version following a year later.
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Marty Howard
2011 NASA SE Factory Five Challenge Champion
Track Events Logistics Coordinator - TZC/THSCC
2007 Factory Five Challenge Car.
http://www.mh-motorsports.com
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