The New Jaguar C-Type

The Jaguar C-Type (also called the Jaguar XK120-C) was a racing sports car built by Jaguar and sold from 1951 to 1953. The "C" designation stood for 'competition'. Considering that Jaguar have recently stated that they wish to push the brand further up market, the New Jaguar C-Type will be aiming to cause a stir with the competition - Porsche Boxster, Mercedes SLK, BMW Z4, the Audi TT and the Nissan 370Z. Jaguar's owner Ratan Tata has made it clear that he wants to expand Jaguar's sports car offerings beyond the scope of the current XK, and the C-Type model will bring Jaguar back into the spotlights and place it where it belongs.

Auto Express says the Jaguar two-seater will borrow styling cues from Ian Callum's XF, with such highlights as a mesh grille, LED headlamps, thin tail lamps, and a power bulge in the hood, a steeply raked windshield, muscular haunches and short overhangs.

Whilst taking styling cues from the XF, the driving dynamics mirror those of the XK. The new addition to Jaguar's line-up is suspected to feature rear-wheel-drive, stunning design, a fabric roof and an impressive engine line-up.

It is thought that the New Jaguar C-Type will come in multiple engine configurations, including a 3.0-liter V6 developing 235 horsepower and a 5.0-liter version generating 380 horsepower, similar to those on the XF. Additionally, the manufacturer might also introduce a 3.0-liter diesel twin-turbo unit, with maximum output going as high as 272 hp. Even the base six-cylinder engine should provide 0-60-mph acceleration in around 7.0 seconds. The engines will be mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel mounted paddles, which is a nice touch to the C-type's racing heritage.

The new C-Type will be made of a lightweight aluminum to ensure that the new C-Type with be light, agile and speedy, exactly the qualities you need to make a top performance sports car.

This Boxster rival, along with a replacement for the legendary E-Type and an Audi R8-style supercar, are on the drawing board, and would be expected to arrive in 2012 at the earliest, so Jaguar fans will have to wait a little longer to test drive the New Jaguar C-Type.

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