Jaguar Unveils C-X75 Plug-in Hybrid Supercar Concept

 

Jaguar has always been something of a troubled brand that despite itself, makes beautiful cars. Jaguar has not been able to stand on its own two feet ever since it was acquired by British Leyland, before being bought by Ford, and then sold off to Tata Motors, the current owners. Yet Jaguar may be experiencing a revival under its Indian overlords. Just take a look at this latest concept car.
Inexplicably called the C-X75 concept, this 21st-century supercar is an extended-range electric car backed by a gas turbine engine. Yes, gas turbine engine. I bet it sounds beautiful.

 

This concept comes just ahead of the Paris Auto Show, and is being touted as a celebration of Jaguars 75th anniversary (though technically, the company was founded in 1922 as the Swallow Sidecar Company). It is powered by four electric motors, one at each wheel, each making 195 horsepower delivering a grand total of 780 horsepower. That is a lot of horsepower, but as we know, electric cars still have limited range due to their batteries. That’s where the gas turbine range-extender comes in.

The two mid-mounted mini-gas turbines, each making 94 horsepower, can operate independently of each other and help propel the C-X75 up to 500 miles. The body is made from lightweight aluminum, and the turbines, combined with the electric motors, produce a whooping 1,187 ft-lbs of torque. All that power is good for an estimated top speed of 205 mph. While that’s still 50 mph short of the Bugatti Veyron, its still fast enough for 99% of the population. If it ever does get made though, only 1% of the population will likely be able to afford it.

Should they make it? And do gas turbines have a future with alternative-fuel vehicles?