You might’ve forgotten that Jaguar is making a super car. They revealed the concept at the Paris motor show last year. Like the upcoming 918 and Ferrari’s F70, it’s a hybrid. That’s probably not too surprising considering the trend of things. However, unlike those two megaliths, the Jag is relying on a puny 1.6L four banger. Well, “puny” might be the wrong word. It’s small, but it also revs to 10,000 rpm… and makes 500hp on the way there. Interested yet? Good, because there’s more.
That revvy, absurd little four-cylinder motor is all new design, according to Autocar. It’s twincharged, meaning both a turbo and a supercharger feed it boost. Beneath 5000rpm, the supercharger takes care of business, with the turbo supplying pressure until it hits that 10,000 rpm red line. All that boost means it’s response should be instantaneous. After all, this is the same type of setup that Lancia used on their infamous Group B rally car, the Delta. Unlike the Delta though, this motor is able to develop power according to the driver’s needs. It does double duty by powering the rear wheels and charging the battery when needed. The small engine size should make a little bit more sense now. You don’t really need a 4.6L V8 for that kind of thing.
A 500hp four cylinder motor is a strange choice for a super car, but it’s a lot less crazy than the micro turbine engines they were planning on going with in the first place. All that power, plus the added oomph from two electric motors on each axle, should allow the Jag to join the 200mph club. More impressive is the expected sub 3.0 second 0-60 time.
Frankly, I can’t wait for this car. Jaguar has been on a pretty strong roll with their new models, and its about time they made a proper successor to the legendary XJ-220. The styling alone is lust worthy. They could’ve thrown a two stroke in there with a pair of AA batteries, and I would’ve been all over it. The fact that it’s a technological tour de force as well just seals the deal.
