Jaguar's new C-X16 concept

Jaguar  is all set to unveil its all-new C-X16 ‘production concept’ car, at the Frankfurt motor show on 13 September.

The manufacturer says the car is “a precursor to future Jaguar sports cars that will aim to set new class benchmarks in design, vehicle dynamics and technology”.

Jaguar is saying very little about the car ahead of its debut, but Autocar understands that the production version of the C-X16 is based on a shortened version of the next-generation aluminium XK platform.

Although the car will be the same width as the XK, it is expected to be nearly 300mm shorter, with much of the extra length removed from the structure in front of the rear wheels. It’s expected to be sold as a strict two-seater in both roadster and coupé forms.

The front-end styling of the C-X16 will be a development of the design language that appeared on the C-X75 supercar, with the upright headlamp graphic, the four-sided grille and vertical air intake design.

Ian Callum, Jaguar’s design boss, is quoted as saying, “Great Jaguars have always been beautiful, innovative and have looked firmly to the future.”

The C-X16 will be launched with a new-generation V6 petrol engine, which should come in both normally aspirated and supercharged versions.

There may be a V8-engined version of the car, but sources say that if it arrives, it will be some time after the initial launch. The C-X16 is expected to go on sale at the end of next year. A V6 diesel version of the car cannot be ruled out.