Aluminium makes it possible to combine strength with low weight and exceptional rigidity, which means the handling dynamics are not affected. This has brought Jaguar to conclude that aluminium is the way forward to widen the product offering and increase production for a premium market.
As a sports crossover, the Jaguar C-X17 offers the driving experience of a sports car with increased presence thanks to its size and styling. Jaguar's first product based on the new architecture will be a new premium C or D segment sedan with a planned global rollout in 2015.
Good news for the British workforce is that this new sedan will be produced at a new, ultra high-tech production facility in Solihull near Birmingham.
ENGINE POWER
Power will be provided by engines with a wide range of capacities and output. These will include high-output petrol and diesel engines to be built at Jaguar Land Rover's new engine manufacturing facility in the UK, as well as the powerful V6 petrol engine of the F-Type. These advanced, high-output engines will be built at Jaguar Land Rover's new engine production facility under construction in Wolverhampton in the UK, which will be operational from 2015.
All the proposed engines will deliver high performance and offer the latest innovations in fuel-efficient technologies, with optimum driveability. The new sedan will be the first vehicle to be equipped with all-new four-cylinder diesel and petrol engines, allowing Jaguar to break the 100g CO²/km barrier for the first time. The power combined with the lightweight architecture, will offer best-in-class specific power output as in the F-Type.
A TRUE JAGUAR
The C-X17 concept blends sleek lines, a sporty look and luxurious sophistication. Its exciting proportions relies on purity of form and beautiful lines which was overseen by arguably the most envied car designer of them all, Jaguar's Ian Callum.
With a crossover being a new journey for Jaguar, Callum and his team were clear that the C-X17 would not compromise the expected norms of Jaguar car design: form, line and proportion.
The C-X17 had to be practical as well as stylish, sporty and exciting. It had to stand out from the crowd, yet retain the timeless sophistication that is typically Jaguar.
The concept vehicle has a low profile and large wheels giving it a powerful stance. It is sleek and fast, relying on pure lines rather than exaggeration. The long bonnet's twin power bulges and prominent grille further impart a muscular look.
The headlamps show the family resemblance while the grille inspired by the XJ, also results in underlining the appeal of the familiar. The grille has a hexagonal pattern with small aluminium panels that can close to enhance the vehicle's aerodynamic properties.
Jaguar says the C-X17 offers refined on-road dynamics and sedan car-like handling, thanks to its low height, optimised centre of gravity, and use of technology such as Torque Vectoring by Braking, in which the car uses its brake system to balance the distribution of engine torque to the wheels during cornering - reducing understeer and maximising grip.
At 4 718mm long and 1 649mm high, its dimensions are those of a crossover, yet as mentioned, the design shares a strong family resemblance with the current range.
A low-slung stance combine with 23" alloy wheels also adds to the sporting, aggressive presence, while the LED headlamps, J-shaped running lights and frosted-glass fog lights set into the large front intakes add to the C-X17's sense of purpose.
In profile the vehicle has two clean design lines with a subtle crease in the metal to catch the light and tie the C-X17's shoulder and haunch design together.
DRIVING
The concept Jaguar's low height, centre of gravity and lightweight all-aluminium body result in car-like driving dynamics and a high level of agility.
With 213mm in ground clearance and intelligent All-Wheel Drive, the C-X17 will also offer reassuring capability and enhanced grip on poor roads and in varying weather conditions. The All-Wheel Drive system continuously monitors grip levels and driver inputs and uses feed-forward torque distribution to both pre-empt and react to wheel-slip for better stability in low-grip conditions. In normal conditions, the system delivers drive to the rear wheels to provide the dynamic driving experience Jaguars are renowned for.
INTERIOR
The interior of the C-X17 echoes the roof's sleek appearance outside. Inside a subtle layered effect with patterned leather patches on the main panels underscores the vehicle's sophistication.
The interior of the C-X17 also blends high-end interactive technology with fine craftsmanship, which result in a spacious cabin, contrasting traditional and modern finishes.
The seating position of the four seats is relatively low for a crossover, giving a feeling of sitting deep within the cabin.
INTERACTIVITY
The C-X17 has an interactive surface console that runs the length of the car's centre with a series of interconnecting touch screens. These connect those in the rear cabin with the driver and front seat passengers via a secure in-car Wi-Fi network and allow occupants to upload pictures, video and sound files from mobile devices and share them with fellow passengers or social media.
The Jaguar C-X17 features 12 loudspeakers specifically developed for the vehicle by British audio experts Meridian.
ALUMINIUM FACTS
A modern car with components made of aluminium can be 24% lighter than one with components made of steel, which also allows fuel consumption to be reduced by 2-litres per 100 km.
Jaguar announced the first representative of its sports cars, the XK which was the first application in the automotive industry of an integral all-aluminium monocoque body. Jaguar managed to introduce light and durable body design, of which some parts are attached by clamps and epoxy adhesives in production.
Today aluminium is the second most used material of the total weight of the car. It is used to make components of the suspension, the chassis, cylinder blocks and other engine components. It is believed that 1kg of aluminium can replace up to 2kg of steel and cast iron.
The more aluminium is used in the production of a vehicle, the less the weight of the vehicle is and the less fuel it consumes, thereby reducing the amount of harmful emissions into the atmosphere.
Italian Racing Red as seen at the Brussels Motor Show, was also unveiled to the South African motoring press at Oubaai recently.
The spacious cabin has contrasting traditional and modern finishes.
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