Jaguar and Williams F1 to partner on C-X75 hybrid supercar technology

Jaguar is teaming up with Williams F1 to put a limited run of $1.1 million C-X75 hybrid-powered supercars into production in late 2013 with a crucial partnership that links two storied British companies to develop cutting-edge technology.

Jag and Williams have been working on a production plan for the C-X75 since January and will share development over the next few years.

“Williams has expertise in composite structures, advanced powertrains, aerodynamics, low-volume production and speedy production development,” said Bob Joyce, Jaguar Land Rover's chief engineer.

Under the skin, the production C-X75 will feature a carbon-fiber tub, which will be handcrafted by Williams along Formula One principles.

Alloy subframes will carry the suspension and steering elements at the front and the mid-mounted, advanced hybrid powertrain at the rear.

Williams is likely to assemble the rolling chassis at its Didcot headquarters in England, which will then be trucked to Jaguar to be trimmed and assembled with painted body panels.

A major change over the Paris concept is new motive power for the hybrid-electric powertrain. This will center on a “high-charge,” small-capacity, four-cylinder gasoline engine, of a similar type to the engines that will become standard fitment with a 1.6-liter capacity in F1 for the 2013 season.

This engine replaces the micro gas turbines featured in the concept. Jag stresses that it continues to develop the gas turbines for future applications.

The engine won't be an F1 unit, according to Joyce, because those engines aren't sufficiently refined for road-car use.

But it will be a bespoke engine, because it will be blown to a very high-level, “possibly higher than five times” atmospheric, Joyce said. That's comparable to the internal pressure in a commercial diesel engine and should bring high thermal efficiency. Jaguar is working on the engine.

The engine will be able to either drive the four wheels directly or drive a generator for fume-free electric running via two electric motors, one for the front axle and one for the rear. That's a similar layout to the Range Rover hybrid, called Range-E, recently announced by Land Rover.

Maximum power will be outstanding and might set a record for specific output of a production gasoline engine. Joyce says output of the engine and electric motors will exceed the 775 hp quoted for the concept.

Maximum performance will come with both systems together in a race mode. Each drive method will be cockpit selectable.

There will be a conventional gearbox, but how that interacts with the electric drive, and whether it will be transverse- or inline-mounted, is still to be decided.

Just 250 of the 200-mph-plus mid-engine two-seaters will be built between 2013 and 2015, turning the handsome Paris show concept into a technology flagship to spearhead Jag's ambitious new model plans.

“This car will embody everything that is great about Jaguar: high technology, desirable styling, huge performance and sustainability,” said brand chief Adrian Hallmark, “and we're very proud to be launching it today.”

By Julian Rendell