Jaguar Plans 500-hp Four-Cylinder Engine for C-X75 Supercar

Jaguar confirms that it will produce its C-X75 concept exclusively as a hybrid supercar. The Tata Motors Ltd. brand unveiled the concept at the Paris auto show in 2010.

The powertrain will include a turbocharged and supercharged1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that revs to 10,000 rpm and produces roughly 500 hp, according to LeftLane News. The online newsletter says the engine, mounted midship, will drive the rear wheels through a seven-speed, single-clutch transmission.

The powertrain also will include a lithium-ion battery and two electric motors, one for each axle. Jaguar says the 3,000-lb car will have an electric-only range of about 30 miles. The brand is working on powertrain development with Williams F1.

It isn't clear if the production version of the C-X75 will use the concept's twin gas microturbines, each of which generates 94 hp, that are used to recharge the car's battery. The units were developed by the U.K. firm Bladon Jets, in which Tata holds an equity stake. Jaguar says it aims to adopt the technology in its vehicles in the "medium term."

Jaguar says the C-X75 powertrain will be able to propel the carbon-fiber car from zero to 60 mph in less than 3 seconds and achieve a top speed of 205 mph. The company also expects the system to achieve carbon dioxide emissions of only 99 g/km on the European test cycle.

The company plans to build no more than 250 C-X75s. They will sell for 700,000- 900,000 ($1 million to $1.4 million), depending on market and local tariffs.