The C-X17 — Jaguar’s first ever sports crossover concept vehicle — debuted with great flair just a few weeks ago at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany.
To be produced at a new production facility in England, the sedan introduces the company’s aluminum monocoque structure — the future, overall, of the Jaguar brand. Modular and scalable, the innovative architecture is high-strength, lightweight and extremely stiff. The structure is also environmentally friendly as the new high-strength alloy will be made from almost 100-percent recycled raw material.
The new four-seat sports crossover, available globally in 2015, combines the excitement of a sports car with the utility and flexibility of a sports crossover, blending sleek design and sporting performance — all the marks of a Jaguar.
“The C-X17 sports crossover represents an exciting new direction for Jaguar. With this technical foundation, we will dramatically expand Jaguar’s product offering, market potential and customer appeal,” says Adrian Hallmark, global brand director for Jaguar.
Power will be provided by high-output, low-emission four-cylinder gas and diesel engines and a powerful V-6, from the F-TYPE sports car. Jaguar says this high-performance option will provide best-in-class specific power output in part because of its light weight. Top speeds will reach 186 mph with outstanding gas mileage.
The C-X17 will combine on-road dynamics and carlike handling, with a low center of gravity and technologies such as Torque Vectoring by Braking — in which the car automatically adjusts its brakes to reduce understeer and maximize grip. Large 23-inch wheels are a one-off design with five split spokes.
The intelligent All-Wheel Drive system continuously monitors grip levels and driver inputs and uses feed-forward torque distribution to pre-empt and react to the wheel-slip, providing greater driver confidence and vehicle stability in low-grip conditions.
“We designed the C-X17 from the ground up from a distinct set of principles, a deep sense of what makes a Jaguar: exciting proportions, clean lines, balance of form. Assertive and powerful, yet with a beautiful sensuality about it, the C-X17 is boldly, distinctively Jaguar,” says Ian Callum, design director for Jaguar.
Up front, the hood’s twin power bulges and grille, with aluminum panels, impart strength. The C-X17’s roofline swoops to the rear, where a cantilevered spoiler and a raking rear window help to enhance the crossover’s sporting appearance.
“The C-X17’s design is timeless, yet absolutely up-to-the-minute. Artisan treatment meets modern techniques in an innovative cabin full of luxurious touches and cutting-edge technical ideas,” says Julian Thomson, Jaguar’s director of advanced design.
Four luxurious bucket seats and a vaned roof provide a sense of openness and an elliptical panoramic view to the passengers without sacrificing the sleekness of the C-X17 exterior. Two additional rear-mounted milled aluminum seats swing out from the boot for recreational use when the car is stationary and the rear hatch opened.
Among the many appointments are jet or orchid Connolly leather on the instrument panel, seats, armrests, doors, floor and in the boot, with stitching adding tactility. Houndstooth-pattern leather patches on the main leather panels create a layered effect. Ruthenium, milled aluminum and black brushed anodized metal finishes add darker tonal effects, replacing traditional brightwork. The door finish is elegant gloss black.
Advanced interior technologies include the Interactive Surface Console — a multi-screen infotainment network that links passengers through social media channels in a secure wi-fi network. Passengers can upload pictures, video and sound files from their mobile devices and share them with their fellow passengers, as well as on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other programs.
“Information can be ‘flicked’ forwards and rearwards between the front and the rear passengers,” Jaguar explains. “By enabling sharing, both in terms of technology and information, between the occupants of the C-X17, the Interactive Surface Console puts as much focus on the rear compartment as on the front and immerses all four passengers in a unified multisensory experience.”
A twin-dial configurable TFT console projects vital information onto the windscreen so that the driver can process input quickly — inspired by fighter aircraft. The gearshift has a ruthenium rotary dial, which allows the driver to toggle between Road, Sport or All-Road driving modes.
The C-X17 features a premium in-car digital audio system by British specialist audio firm Meridian. Designed in conjunction with interior, the system draws on the company’s digital sound-processing technology. The center console is configured for a Head Up Display projector.
The driver and passengers enjoy sound from 28 loudspeakers. Sub-woofer drive units are in the rear-center tunnel, tweeters are in the dashboard, and there are additional speakers in the A and B pillars, two in each of the doors, rear speakers and speakers in the tops of the front seat head rests.
Every bit a Jaguar, the new C-X17 is coming soon: “Anything we can imagine, we can create.”
Jaguar C-X17, www.jaguarusa.com
