C-X75 - THE MOST ADVANCED JAGUAR EVER CREATED
When Jaguar unveiled the C-X75 in 2010, it was the beginning of a new
chapter in innovation and technological advancement that would see the
car evolve from a design concept to a fully working prototype in just
two years.
In that incredibly short time span, Jaguar and development partner
Williams Advanced Engineering have created an all-wheel drive, plug-in
parallel hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) with the world's highest
specific power engine and Jaguar's first carbon composite monocoque
chassis.
Although the decision was taken in 2012 that as a result of the global
economic climate the C-X75 would not enter full production, it was clear
that it was a powerful showcase for Jaguar’s world-leading expertise in
lightweight vehicle construction and the ideal test-bed for the
company’s innovative research into high-performance, low emission
powertrains.
The great achievements in the development of C-X75 prototypes, including
cutting-edge hybrid technologies, carbon composite materials and
advanced design solutions pioneered in association with Williams
Advanced Engineering will be utilised in other areas of research and
development, innovative future products and next-generation engineering
for the Jaguar brand.
“The C-X75 programme represents the pinnacle of Jaguar's engineering and
design expertise. It is arguably the world's fastest test-bed for the
world's most advanced technologies, combining as it does a remarkable
hybrid powertrain with awe-inspiring performance. Jaguar is always
looking to shape the cars of tomorrow and with projects like C-X75 we
are laying the foundations for the next generation of Jaguar
innovations.”- Adrian Hallmark, Global Brand Director, Jaguar.
Highest power and torque density
The C-X75 has a combined power output in excess of 850bhp and 1000Nm of
torque, thanks to its state-of-the-art, Formula 1-inspired, 1.6-litre
dual-boosted (turbocharged and supercharged) four-cylinder powerplant
which generates 502 bhp at 10,000 rpm.
It is allied to the highest torque and power density electric motors in
production, which generate a further 390 horsepower. The battery pack in
the C-X75 is the highest continuously rated power PHEV pack in the
world, capable of delivering more than 300kW over the full state of the
charge window.
The C-X75 can sprint from 0-100mph in less than six seconds, thanks to
its advanced 7-speed automated manual transmission that allows
gearshifts in under 200 milliseconds. The very first C-X75 prototype
exceeded 200mph in testing with ease, and the car has a theoretical
maximum velocity of 220mph.
The car's deployable aerofoil and underfloor aerodynamics create more
than 200kg of downforce at 200mph, and active systems enhance its
high-speed stability.
Ultra low emissions and pure electric mode
Thanks to the most extreme PHEV specification of any mobile battery in
development, the C-X75 will also run for 60km in pure electric vehicle
mode and its CO2 emissions fall below 89g/km.
The C-X75 project allows Jaguar to stake an even stronger claim as the
UK's most significant investor in innovative technology. The results of
the C-X75 programme, in particular in advanced powertrain technologies
and lightweight composites, demonstrate Jaguar's technical leadership at
the very cutting-edge of automotive development and manufacturing.
The timing of this automotive engineering project was to celebrate
the significant milestone of 75 years of Jaguar Cars and to emphasize to
the world how the innovative heritage of Jaguar and the UK car industry
can lead the next generation of powertrain and vehicle development.
This project was not only a showcase in technical innovation but also in
rapid product development with strategic partners such as Williams
Advanced Engineering and Lotus can raise the bar in project delivery
technical complexity and timescales.
The platform for the launch of this vision to the world was Paris.
The show car was presented at the 2010 motorshow, drawing attention from
the media, competitors, suppliers and the public to its blend of
classic beauty and innovation. The thinking behind C-X75 is to provide
an owner with a unique car, capable of being driven as a road vehicle
showing style with economy, then on occasion, take it to the race track
to unleash its performance and power.
The decision was made in May 2011 to go forward to the next stage of
the supercar development and engineer the concept into a production
solution, based on 250 vehicles. Jaguar’s Programme and Vehicle Manager,
Rob Atkin with Paul Newsome Head of Williams Advanced Engineering led
the programme and engineering activities from Grove Oxfordshire under
the guidance a steering committee chaired by Bob Joyce Jaguar’s
Engineering Director.
To deliver this task the newly formed Jaguar / Williams project team
carefully selected key suppliers that were competitive, experienced and
focused on delivery. Lotus were selected as a key partner to develop two
major function groups: the chassis system and the engine management
system. This technical delivery was managed under the guidance of Paul
Pywell, Head of Lotus.
To deliver the chassis and engine management systems meant working
closely with the core programme team. Lotus brought its 60 years of
motorsport, car production and engineering collaborative consultancy
experience with OEMs to bring a blend of process and flexibility to meet
the challenge.
Key vehicle attributes
One of the major challenges for the automotive industry is to drive
down CO2 emissions. The key enablers for this are to engineer cleaner
downsized engines coupled with hybrid technology and lighter vehicles to
get more power per kg. It was important to think outside the box to
capture the right technology content, reduce time to market and cost
whilst improving performance and customer appeal. This is what the team
set out to do.
After a review of the Paris concept car the technology moved away
from the idea of micro gas turbines which uses jets to generate
electricity for the battery and extend the range of the car. The
technology direction was to develop a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle
solution (PHEV) with a unique liquid and battery pack for this
performance vehicle. This direction change allowed alignment with
current production technology trends for CO2 reduction. Coupling boosted
engine performance with additional power delivered from the battery
through twin electric motor drives delivered additional performance.
The interior
Specification
- Supercharged 1.6-litre turbo petrol, 500 bhp
- Power output 313 bhp/litre compared to the Bugatti Veyron, 125 bhp/litre
- Twin electric motors developing more than 175 bhp electric motor on each axle
- Total power more than 850 bhp
- Torque more than 738 lbft
- Range of up to 60 miles on electric-only power
- Engine and rear electric motor drive coupled to 7 speed automated manual transmission
- The vehicle can be driven electrically or as a hybrid with 4WD
- High level of technology leveraged from Formula 1 including engine, high voltage battery, vehicle control system and aerodynamics
- Electric front axle drive, driving through a single speed reduction gearbox
Sources:
http://www.jaguar.com/about-jaguar/concept-cars/cx75.html and
https://lotusproactive.wordpress.com/2014/04/08/jaguar-c-x75-a-demonstration-of-the-future/
