EXCLUSIVE: Jaguar set to produce new sports car after suppliers awarded orders

JAGUAR is set to launch production of its brand new sportscar following confirmation toolmakers are already winning supply contracts for the vehicle, known so far by its official concept designation C-X16.

Speculation has been rife that Jaguar will officially announce production of the new car at one of this year’s major global motor shows.

The concept car was first shown off to the public at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show and since then it has also been seen at events in Delhi and Los Angeles.

Such has been the public acclaim for the vehicle that Jaguar enthusiasts have already named it as the vehicle they would most like to see launched.

That wish may soon be granted.

See the new C-X16 in action – [VIDEO: 487]

One Jaguar supplier has already confirmed it has won a contract to equip the car.

Luton-based Toolspec is one of the engineering firms within the stable of companies owned by Midland-based engineering and consumer durables group Metalrax.

Toolspec, which manufactures manipulated tube products for the yellow goods and automotive sectors and also supplies Aston Martin and JCB, said in Metalrax’s annual results statement that 2011 had been a year of growth for the business.

It added it had also secured “some exciting new contract wins including one to supply components for the new Jaguar C- X16 product launching in 2013”.

There has been no official word yet from Jaguar but at this month’s Geneva Motor Show Adrian Hallmark, Jaguar Global Brand Director, said it was the firm’s intention to launch six new Jaguar products over the next two years.

Geneva was all about the new Jaguar XF Sportbrake, which goes on sale in September, although much of the public’s imagination was captured by the unveiling of the Range Rover Evoque convertible concept.

However, a clue to Jaguar’s ultimate intentions was given by Mr Hallmark after the Los Angeles event when he said: “Jaguar has always had a sporting heart, and the C-X16 is the perfect embodiment of our vision for a true 21st century Jaguar sports car. It’s fast, it’s beautiful, and it also highlights our commitment to the development of sustainable powertrain technologies.

“As it’s an indication of how a Jaguar sports car may look in the future, we’re eager to gauge the reaction to the C-X16 here in the important North American market, and the Los Angeles Auto Show provides us with the perfect platform to do so”.

The C-X16 is a lightweight, all-aluminium design and is claimed to be Jaguar’s first true sports car since the launch of the iconic E-Type 50 years ago.

It is likely to be powered by a supercharged 3-litre V6 petrol engine, although hybrid options are also thought to be under consideration.

Its top speed could be around 186 mph with a 0-62 mph acceleration time of 4.4 seconds.

Jaguar is the headline sponsor of TheBusinessDesk.com’s inaugural Midlands Business Masters awards, which will be held at the Town Hall in Birmingham on May 10.