Jaguar has released the first pictures and details of the C-X16 production concept.

The rear-wheel drive, two-seater sportscar is powered by a supercharged, next generation V6 petrol engine producing 375bhp and 332lb ft.

There is also a button on the steering wheel for the hybrid boost system, similar to the KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) featured in Formula One whereby energy is harvested under braking and stored in a battery for deployment by the driver as a power boost later.

The Jaguar system uses a 1.6kWh battery pack for energy storage, mounted behind the seats for perfect 50:50 weight distribution, and when deployed can provide an additional 94bhp and 173lb ft.

The C-X16 can accelerate from 0-62mph in 4.4 seconds and can hit a top speed of 186mph. Despite this performance, it produces just 165g/km CO2, thanks in-part to the ability to travel under 50mph on electric power alone.

At just 4.44m long, 2.04m wide and 1.29m tall, the C-X16 is the smallest Jaguar since the the 1954 XK120.

There are strong E-Type design cues including a sculpted clamshell bonnet, a side hinged rear hatch and a long-nose, short-tail profile.

Ian Callum, Jaguar’s director of design said, “Jaguars have always been dramatically different. With the C-X16 we have moved the current award-winning design language on to the next generation, creating a car that is the very essence of future Jaguar performance.”

Adrian Hallmark, Global Brand Director at Jaguar said, “The C-X16 embodies the established Jaguar strengths of sensual design, animal-like agility and inspirational performance and combines these with attributes that set us on a course to create sustainable sports cars of the future.”

The Jaguar C-X16 will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motorshow next week. Check out more pictures in our gallery below:

Source: Jaguar