Jaguar C-X75 Hypercar 2011

The super rich automotive collectors of this world will soon have one more choice to add to their list as today, Jaguar officially confirmed the limited production of its flashing C-X75 hypercarthat drew much attention at last year’s Paris Motor Show.

To be developed in cooperation with Williams F1, the C-X75 will make use of hybrid powertrain with Jaguar aiming to have the car on sale in 2013. The British maker said only 250 examples will be built, each costing between £700,000 - £900,000, or US$1.16 million to US$1.44 million at today’s exchange rates, depending on market and local taxes.

To have it in the market within a considerable timeframe, Jaguar will replace the jet-powered setup of the original concept with a more conventional, yet still innovative for today’s standards, powertrain comprising of a state-of-the-art, small-capacity, highly-boosted internal combustion engine with one powerful electric motor at each axle offering all-wheel drive capability.

Jaguar did not get into any further details, but Williams F1’s involvement hints at a high-tech four-cylinder unit closely related to the 1.6-liter four-pot engine to be used in Formula One after the new regulations come into force in 2013.

We may not have any output figures for now, but Jaguar revealed that the C-X75 will be one of the fastest production cars in the world with a sub-three second 0-60mph (96 km/h) time and a top speed in excess of 200mph (322 km/h). Thanks to its lightweight construction and the use of the electric motors, the C-X75 will also be green emitting less than 99g/km of CO2.

"The engine's compact size allows it to be mounted low in the car for optimum weight distribution and to retain the concept's stunning silhouette,” explained Bob Joyce, Group Engineering Director, Jaguar Land Rover. “This will make the Jaguar C-X75 a bona fide hybrid supercar capable of silent electric running with an extensive EV range in excess of 50km."

Jaguar added that development of the micro-turbine technology that was showcased in the original concept C-X75 continues and will play an important role in the British firm’s future plans.

Williams F1 said it will provide its engineering expertise in various areas including aerodynamics, carbon composite manufacture and hybrid technologies.

"Never before has the company launched such an ambitious, world-beating vehicle programme," said Carl-Peter Forster, CEO Tata Motors. "This is the Jaguar of the future. The opportunity for innovation like this in the UK is part of the reason Tata Motors invested in Jaguar, and it's fantastic that products like the C-X75 can become reality."

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Hyundai All-New i40 Sedan 2011

Just a couple of months after debuting the i40 Station Wagon at the Geneva Salon in March, Hyundai is now getting ready to lift the covers off the sedan version of its mid-size model, which will receive its world premiere at the upcoming 2011 Barcelona Motor Show on May 12th. The South Korean automaker released the first teaser rendering of the i40 Sedan, which will effectively replace the older generation of the Sonata in the European market and compete in the D-segment against the likes of the Opel Insignia, VW Passat, Toyota Avensis and Citroen C5.

Like the estate model, the saloon is the product Hyundai’s European R&D center in Rüsselsheim, Germany. So far, Hyundai has released very details about the car as we only get to know that it will ride on a wheelbase measuring 2.77 meters long and that according to the company, will deliver “best-in-class dimensions for front head (1025mm), shoulder (1455mm), and leg (1170mm) room”.

European buyers should expect the same engine lineup as the estate including a 1.7-liter turbo diesel and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline unit, with more information to be released after its presentation in Spain.

Not surprisingly, the i40 sedan follows Hyundai’s ‘fluidic sculpture’ design language, which includes a big crease along the shoulder line and a heavily profiled rear end.

“We have used very strong, fluid lines from front to rear to give i40 a distinctive appearance,” commented Thomas Bürkle, Chief Designer at Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Centre. “We wanted to move away from the typical three-box saloon and create a car that was in keeping with the sporty nature of the i40 estate. By sculpting a low, elongated roof line, we’ve given the i40 saloon a striking coupe-like silhouette,” he added.

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New Porsche Cayman S Black Edition

Porsche is once again making use of its “Black Edition” nameplate for one of its models, this time for the Cayman S, which benefits from a power boost and additional standard equipment. Limited to 500 units worldwide, the Cayman S Black Edition features an upgraded version of the 3.4-liter six-cylinder boxer engine, with output increased by 10 horsepower to 330HP at 7,400 rpm (200 rpm higher). Maximum torque remains unchanged, however, at 370 Nm (273 lb-ft) at 4,750 rpm.

The added ponies allow the Cayman S Black Edition to complete the standard sprint to 100km/h (62mph) 0.1 seconds faster at 5.1 seconds when the car is fitted with a six-speed manual transmision. With the optional Porsche PDK double-clutch box, the car performs even better achieving the sprint in 5 seconds flat.

For those still unimpressed, the limited edition Cayman can shave a further 0.2 seconds off the 0-100 km/h time with the optional Sport Chrono package and Launch Control activated. Top speed is also 2 km/h higher than on the standard Cayman S, with the Black Edition reaching 279 km/h (173 mph) with the manual transmission, and 277 km/h (172 mph) with the PDK gearbox.

As you've probably noticed by taking a peek at the photos, the Black Edition name comes from the extensive use of black on the car's body and the interior. The bodywork and the 19-inch wheels are painted black, while the headlights are smoked as well. Inside, the car sports a black dashboard, gear lever and instrument dials and the “Black Edition” inscription on the stainless steel sills. The lid of the glove compartment bears the badge of the limited edition with the production number below.

The Cayman S Black Edition's standard equipment includes Bi-Xenon headlights with dynamic cornering function and LED daytime running lights, anti-dazzle interior and exterior mirrors with integrated rain sensor, black seats with partial leather upholstery, automatic climate control, Sport Design steering wheel and cruise control. In addition, the Porsche Comfort, Infotainment and Design packages are also included. The starting price in Germany for the Cayman S Black Edition is €67,807 ($98,500), including VAT, while U.S. prices are even much lower starting from $67,500 (€45,600).

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