Arguably one of the greatest dream machines ever, the Jaguar C-X75 has just been given a rude wake-up call. The C-X75 program has been put on indefinite — read: permanent — hold. In a formal statement issued earlier this week, the automaker noted: "After a thorough re-assessment of near-term market conditions, the company’s view is that the global economic landscape does not currently support the introduction of a supercar such as C-X75." Reading between the lines, the simple reason behind the car’s untimely demise was a projected $1-millon-plus projected price tag.
Work will continue until May on the five C-X75 prototypes currently being constructed with project partner Williams F1. In final form, the design brief for this carbon-fiber hybrid GT consisted of a 1.6-liter supercharged/turbocharged mid-mounted 4-cylinder engine teamed with an electric motor at each axle that combined to crank out 888 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. That would have been sufficient to send the baddest Big Cat ever from 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds and give it a top end in excess of 200 mph and an EV-only range of 60 miles.
In commenting on the decision, Adrian Hallmark, Jaguar Global Brand director said, "Project C-X75 has already broken many new barriers in terms of innovation and advanced technologies. We have achieved an incredible amount and will continue to test and develop these technologies, which are highly relevant to Jaguar-Land Rover’s sustainable future. We remain committed to significant on-going new product investment – £2 billion ($3.23 billion) in this financial year – which will continue to drive the expansion of the JLR business."
