Skip advert
Advertisement

Jaguar C-X75

We're first to drive Jaguar's Paris Motor Show stunner - the C-X75.

Overall Auto Express rating

5.0

How we review cars
Find your next car here
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

The Jaguar C-X75 is a manifesto for the firm’s future, demonstrating its ability to mix classical, elegant design with cutting edge technology. Most exciting is the fact that lots of the elements of the concept will make production, ranging from the high tech stereo to the aircraft-inspired switchgear. The powertrain is further away, but the Technology Strategy Board escaped the government’s financial cuts, ensuring a substantial grant to develop sustainable propulsion systems could make Jaguar’s innovative gas turbine dream makes the leap to reality. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Jaguar stole the show in Paris with its stunning jet engined concept car... and now, ahead of the C-X75's LA Motor Show debut, Auto Express is first behind the wheel.

Created to celebrate 75 years of Jaguar, the C-X75 of the car that sets a thrilling blueprint for the future of the brand.

The styling showcases a new evolution of Jaguar’s design language, while its groundbreaking gas turbine range extender powertrain shows how the firm has embraced new ways to power its performance cars.

Inspired by the swooping XJ13 Le Mans prototype of the mid-1960s, the C-X75 features a prominent, oval grille flanked by feline, sweeping headlights. At the side, the profile remains simple and elegant, with the flowing shape only interrupted by a sculpted air intake.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Astra

2023 Vauxhall

Astra

11,209 milesAutomaticDiesel1.5L

Cash £21,199
View Astra
EcoSport

2019 Ford

EcoSport

16,963 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £10,495
View EcoSport
Grandland X

2020 Vauxhall

Grandland X

45,973 milesManualPetrol1.2L

Cash £10,495
View Grandland X
e-tron

2023 Audi

e-tron

23,874 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £19,983
View e-tron

The body tapers towards the rear, which incorporates a carbon fibre rear diffuser. There’s no doubting that the Jaguar is stunning, and that impression is only enhanced by the beautifully crafted interior.

Despite being a concept, there’s no overly complex door mechanism, just conventional, front-hinged doors which swing open to reveal a pair of swooping seats. The chairs are fixed to allow for air to channel from the side intakes to the mid-mounted gas turbines, so instead, the steering wheel, controls, main binnacle and pedal box all adjust towards the driver.

The seats are hard, but your attention is soon diverted to the superb TFT screens which are used for the instruments. Lights sweep around each dial’s perimeter, showing the activity of each turbine, while the dials themselves are virtual gimbals – rotating cylinders like those in a fighter jet cockpit – which display speed and battery charge.

The C-X75’s interior features a host of LEDs which make parts of the dash appear to float, while hi-fi specialist Bowers & Wilkins has created honeycomb speakers which are hidden throughout the dash and doors.

To compliment the theatrical looks, the Jaguar is started using a switch mounted in the aircraft-inspired overhead control panel. But even after the engines spool up, there’s no real noise, and certainly none of the drama that comes when you fire up the engine of a modern supercar.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

We are under strict instructions to take the utmost care with this priceless prototype, and as a result have  top speed limited to less than 20mph.

But there's still a sense of theatre as we strap into the drivers seat. You are sat so low to the tarmac, that you could almost be behind the wheel of a single-seat racing car.

There's almost no noise as we leave the line - save for the slightest whine from the electric motors. The car responds to the slightest touch of the throttle and as we reach (and then pass!) our lowly speed limit, the noise of the chunky tyres drumming on the rumway surface fills the cabin.

While it may not make much of a sound, the claimed performance figures suggest this car's speed should be nothing less than staggering.

The C-X75 features lithium-ion batteries which can be charged from a household plug in six hours, giving a range of 68 miles. However, when the cells are depleted, the two 94bhp gas turbines kick in. Spinning at up to 80,000rpm, the micro-turbines can either charge the batteries or supplement battery power.

The batteries provide power to four 195bhp electric motors, one for each wheel, which deliver a total of 780bhp and an incredible 1,600Nm of torque. The range is 560 miles and the car emits just 28g/km!

Performance figures are equally impressive, with the benchmark 0-62mph sprint taking just 3.4 seconds and a 205mph top speed claimed.

The C-X75 has two modes. In standard mode, the concept is driven solely by battery power, while Track Mode adds extra boost from the turbines and changes the TFT display to show available power, performance and lap time data.

Currently, the concept is still very much that – a priceless one-off. The near-silent drive is somewhat disconcerting at first and a little anti-climactic given the stunning looks.

But the design is more striking, the interior technology just fabulous and the amazing view afforded down the swooping bonnet means the next generation Jaguar’s sports cars can’t come soon enough.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £37,230Avg. savings £3,710 off RRP*Used from £15,440
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £5,924 off RRP*Used from £12,200
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £4,935 off RRP*Used from £13,135
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £3,214 off RRP*Used from £10,395
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment
Xiaomi YU7 - front cornering

New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment

BMW or Mercedes would do anything to keep the new Xiaomi YU7 from sale in the UK and Europe, and this is why
Road tests
14 Jul 2025
New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range
MG IM5 - Goodwood front

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range

The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
News
10 Jul 2025
The EV grant is back: Government's new £3,750 electric car discount in detail
Auto Express creative director Darren Wilson charging the Lexus RZ

The EV grant is back: Government's new £3,750 electric car discount in detail

The government has set out its plan to help reduce the cost of affordable EVs by introducing a new £3,750 grant for new EVs sold
News
15 Jul 2025