Auto Eroticism: Jaguar C-X16

Suddenly Britain's back in the business of making stunning cars.

Hot on the heels of recent press releases on the new Lotus Espirit and Bentley Continental GTC, Jaguar has just upped the ante. I think this is the first time a Jaguar has ever made me say, "Daaaammmnnnnnn..." This car is just gorgeous. It's a "production concept", meaning you can look for it in showrooms in the near future (likely in the fall of 2012).

From Automobile Magazine:

the C-X16 slots in beneath the XK, seats only two, but packs a serious punch. A new all-aluminum supercharged 3.0-liter V-6, rated at 380 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, lurks underhood. That engine’s paired with a hybrid system that offers a so-called “push to pass” function. Much like the KERS systems employed in Formula One racing, an electric motor — rated at 93 hp and 173 lb-ft of torque — can provide an extra boost.

Jaguar says that powertrain is just as mean as it is green: in fact, the automaker claims it can rocket the C-X16 from 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds, and ultimately to a top speed of 186 mph.

There are no early hints at the price tag, but given the market sector they're aiming for, I'm going to guess you'll need at least $50,000 to have one sitting in your driveway. If I had that kind of money to spend on a car, I would struggle with a decision between one of these and a BMW M3, which says A LOT.

Here are some more photos from Top Gear's website (they have even more beyond these).