Jaguar details C-XI6 hybrid concept ahead of 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show

The Jaguar C-X16, if it goes into production, could be among the most powerful hybrids on the road with a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 producing 375 horsepower (280kW) and 332 lb-ft of torque and an experimental high-performance hybrid system that kicks up the power by 94 horsepower (70kW) and 173 lb-ft (235 Nm).

One of the most intriguing details released by Jaguar is the C-X16 will have a "Push-to-Pass" feature inspired by the Formula 1 Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) system. The Push to Pass feature, which honestly sounds like a hoot, will be highlighted by a dashboard display graphic that tells you when the electric motor's additional boost can be kicked on. Thanks to the electric motor there won't be a lag like you get from a turbocharged engine. The extra 94 horsepower and 173 lb. ft. of torque is going to kick in for a full 10 seconds of power. The hybrid system will keep recharging so the driver will be able to tap that button as often as possible.

The two-seat coupe, with a driver-focused cabin trimmed in red leather, will be able to leap from 50 to 75 mph in 2.2 seconds (or in less time than it took to type the phrase 50 to 75 mph in 2.2 seconds) when the steering wheel "push-to-pass" button is engaged.

As previously reported, the Jaguar C-X16 is going to be a beautiful beast. As TorqueNews.com managing editor Patrick Rall reported on Aug. 17, Ian Callum, Design Director for Jaguar offered this comment about the upcoming new model: "Great Jaguar cars have always been beautiful, innovative and have looked firmly to the future. The finished C-X16 concept has the potential to do these things while retaining the ability to surprise, excite and invigorate."

Jaguar is saying its performance hybrid is going to knock off a 0-62 mph time of 4.4 seconds. European manufacturers report 0-62 mph times (and not the U.S. standard of 0-60 mph) because 0-62 mph equals 0 to 100 kilometers per hour. Click about a tenth of a second off the 0-62 mph time to get a USA time of about 4.3 seconds for 0-60.

Unlike German sedans that limit their engines to a top speed of 155 mph (or about 250 kilometers per hour), the only limit on the Jaguar C-X16 is the power of its engine. It has a top speed of 186 mph – more than 2.5 times the top speed of most American highways.

The experimental engine is mounted to a by-now routine eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. How routine are eight-speed transmissions? Even the 2012 Chrysler 300 is now offered with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The Jaguar C-X16 concept also borrows from the Jaguar XF sports sedan with Intelligent Start/Stop. It can shut down the engine in 300 milliseconds when the cars come to rest. It uses a Twin Solenoid Starter that is capable of restarting it in the time it takes the driver’s foot to travel from the brake to the accelerator.

The C-X16 will have a lightweight aluminum chassis for weight reduction. Further weight reduction comes via composite seats stiffened with a carbon-fiber central spine. One can only imagine how stiff the ride will be on this Jaguar when the rubber hits the road. Speaking of stiff, the C-X16 has improved torsional rigidity thanks to the aluminum construction for sharper responses.

Jaguar C-X16 was inspired by the C-X75 supercar concept that was introduced in 2010. It explores future performance hybrid options for Jaguar.