Heritage

Jaguar offers an agile proposition in new model

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Jaguar C-X16 is a hybrid model that combines searing performance and beautiful styling. Photo/Courtesy

Forty years ago, Jaguar was building award-winning vehicles that continue to impress and entertain. Evidence of this was clear at the Africa Concours d’Elegance when Matthias Koehler’s 1972 Jaguar E-type was voted the overall winner in the 42nd edition of this automotive beauty contest.

They have, however, been at it for more than 75 years. Jaguar is responsible for some of the most iconic road and racing car designs ever seen.

The roll call of names will be familiar to all: XK120, C-Type, D-Type, XJ13, E-Type, XJ220. To that list can now be added the C-X75 Super car.

It celebrates three-quarters of a century of beautiful, fast Jaguars by being the fastest and perhaps most beautiful concept of them all.

When I visited a recent motor show where new concept cars are revealed to the world, I was astonished at how creative car designers have become.

The C-X75 is a case in point and what was even more impressive is what the engineers behind the scenes get up to, making the vehicles of the future more equipped to serve us better without harming the environment.

While the C-X75 concept was both a celebration of 75 years of iconic Jaguar design and a look into the future of automotive technology the C-X16 marks a new chapter for Jaguar.

This two-seater concept that will be sold as the new F-Type, has inspired new advances in design, in engineering and in vehicle technology to create the most compact and responsive Jaguar in a generation. A hybrid, the C-X16 combines searing performance with beautiful styling.

Jaguar Cars global brand director Adrian Hallmark put it nicely when he said “The C-X16 embodies the established Jaguar strengths of sensual design, animal-like agility and inspirational performance and combines these with attributes that set us on a course to create sustainable sports cars of the future”.

When I drove other examples from the Jaguar stable here this was very evident. The Jaguar XF-R in particular gets my testosterone flowing and adrenaline pumping.

From the flagship XJ to the XF and XK-R you will notice the new Jaguars are dramatically different from anything else in the market.

The F-Type offers a whole new experience and comes with a choice of three engines. A 3.0 V6 petrol engine that produces 340 PS supercharged to deliver 0-100km/h 5.3s and a top speed of 260 km/h.

The F-Type S blends hi-tech dynamics with the high torque of a 3.0 V6 supercharged 380PS engine able to dash 0-100km/h in 4.9s on to a top speed 275 km/h.

A more rabid F-Type V8 S is available with advanced dynamics and the breathtaking performance of 495PS engine and capable of 0-100km/h in only 4.3s with a top speed of 300 km/h.

F-Type’s fast 14.6:1 steering ratio responds precisely to driver inputs for the most direct connection between steering wheel and tyres. The sequential shift paddles mounted behind the steering wheel can control gearshifts manually — ideal for performance driving.

The three spoke multi-function sports steering wheel and gearshift paddles put the emphasis on F-Type’s sporting character.

The rear spoiler automatically rises at 1,100kph, to reduce lift by up to 120kg for improved high speed stability. The design ensures that nothing gets in the way of performance so the door handles are flush fitted, creating an uninterrupted air flow along the car’s flanks and deploy as required.

In addition to that the front splitter reduces lift for enhanced control at high speed, whilst also directing air through the brakes for cooling. Everything about this car is purposeful.

The forged alloy double wishbone sports suspension offers the optimum control, agility and feedback. The limited slip differential improves traction and agility, for example, when accelerating out of corners.

Does this sound like a vehicle for you? Perhaps not but we are all allowed to dream aspire for better experiences.

The Jaguar gets an ‘F’ fabulous as it offers a unique cocktail that presents an option miles away from to the mainstream European offerings we have become accustomed to.

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