Jaguar C-X75 Williams Advanced Engineering – Design Lead: Mike Keane | Season 3 – Episode 46
Wheels Jul 09, 2023
Hypercars are better than supercars, not only are they faster, they also incorporate the latest styling, design and state-of-the art technology. For a few short years from 2010 until December 2012 the JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) car company aspired to enter the hypercar marketplace with their own rival to the LaFerrari, McLaren P1 and Porsche 918 the C-X75.
The C-X75 concept car made its initial appearance at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. JLR presented this innovative vehicle as a design exploration with far-reaching implications for future design and technology. The showcased model boasted an impressive power output of 778 hp (580 kW), generated by four YASA electric motors, individually powering each of the four wheels. Unlike traditional four-stroke engines, the car’s batteries were replenished by two diesel-fed micro gas turbines.
At the Geneva Motor Show in March 2011, it was revealed that the production of the C-X75 was scheduled from 2013 to 2015. This decision was made as part of JLR’s ambitious £5 billion investment plan, which included the introduction of forty noteworthy new vehicles within the following five years. It was intended that the JLR F-Type and I-Pace would draw significant inspiration from the C-X75, incorporating numerous design elements and technological advancements.
In May 2011, Jaguar unveiled their intentions to enter a limited production phase of the C-X75, partnering with Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE) a division of their F1 team.
Mike Keane joined Williams Advanced Engineering in 2011 as Lead Propulsion Systems Engineer on the Jaguar Land Rover C-X75 first generation (Phase 1) prototype. He had responsibility to deliver over 350 components across multiple systems such as the air-induction, exhaust, thermal-protection, cooling, oil-delivery and fuel systems. This entailed a complex piece of packaging work in a very cramped engine bay, whilst ensuring all systems delivered ambitious performance targets. The first 5 prototypes were built after only 11 months of intensive design work.
By June 2012, to validate the technology and assess its capabilities, Jaguar and WAE had constructed five C-X75s and conducted test drives at their Gaydon test track in Warwick, UK. The plan was to manufacture 250 cars annually, with an estimated retail price tag of £750,000 per vehicle.
Tasked with creating and advancing the C-X75 within a narrow window of 18 months, which included constructing the initial prototype in a mere six weeks, WAE was provided with unrestricted engineering autonomy. They were guided by just four essential objectives that the C-X75 had to accomplish.
- The looks of that Paris concept.
- The performance of a Veyron – 0-62mph in 3.0secs, 0-100mph in six.
- The pure-electric range of an Ampera/Volt – 40 miles.
- The official-cycle CO2 of a Prius – 89g/km.
WAE knew that their engineering work would include several critical aspects. These included the implementation of extreme engine downsizing combined with advanced hybridization techniques, the utilization of CFRP (carbon fibre-reinforced plastic) that was suitable for efficient mass production, the incorporation of a mid-mounted engine to achieve optimal weight distribution, and the integration of active aerodynamics into the design.
With the objective of creating a vehicle that seamlessly merged established internal combustion engineering with cutting-edge technology, the C-X75 successfully achieved this goal by incorporating a powerful four-cylinder, 1.6-liter engine. And this was a car that could go fast, very fast.
The C-X75 showcased a robust ‘twin-charged’ Cosworth 1.6-litre internal combustion engine with supercharger and turbo. The engine ran up to 5,500 rpm on the supercharger and then seamlessly transitioned to turbocharging which kept the revs climbing until 10,200rpm with a power output of 502bhp.
The electric powertrain of the C-X75 featured a dual-motor setup. At the rear, one motor was integrated into the system, transmitting power through the seven-speed gearbox. Simultaneously, there was another motor positioned at the front, capable of generating 200bhp per motor and an impressive 300lb ft of torque.
To put the acceleration capabilities of this car in context 0-60 mph is achievable on electric power alone.
The production version of the C-X75 was anticipated to achieve remarkable environmental efficiency, with CO2 emissions projected to be under 99 g/km. The car boasted an impressive top speed, surpassing 200 miles per hour (320 km/h). However, in comparison to the concept car’s 110 km (68 miles) all-electric range, the production version had a slightly reduced electric range of 50 km (31 miles).
In comparison with other cars of the time, the Jaguar C-X75 had some interesting statistics:
- Acceleration of a Bugatti Veyron – 0-60 < 3 seconds
- EV Range of a GM Volt
- Emissions of a Toyota Prius – < 99 g/km CO2 Emissions
Apart from supercar power and acceleration there are some party tricks available from the new-technology utilising old ideas (think 1960s bubble cars) there’s no reverse gear. The engine simply declutches and the motor current is reversed.
For the second generation, Phase 2, Mike was given the role of Design Lead for the full vehicle.
In this role, he had the responsibility to co-ordinate all of the teams across each area including body, electrical, chassis and powertrain. The purpose of the Phase 2 cars was to improve the first phase development, reducing weight and complexity whilst improving performance.
In December 2012, Jaguar Land Rover announced the cancellation of production due to the then ongoing global recession and that the C-X75 was indefinitely suspended as “it seems the wrong time to launch an £800,000 to £1 million supercar”.
The technology from the C-X75 lives on in Land Rover and Jaguar cars to this day…
Join us for part two of the story of the Jaguar C-X75 when in 2014 as WAE Head of Mechanical Engineering Mike Keane worked on the stunt cars for the James Bond film, Spectre.
Information sources:
Callumdesigns.com
Drivetribe
Hibra Design
New York Times
Topgear.com
WAE.com (Williams Advanced Engineering)
