The 11th Auto Expo was an opulent affair at the Jaguar stall and they sure haven’t disappointed us this year either. The legendary British carmaker’s C-X17 concept has made its India debut at the ongoing 12th Auto Expo in Delhi NCR. The C–X17 Concept is the first ever SUV to come out of Jaguar’s stable and it looks absolutely stunning. The sports crossover concept showcases the future of Jaguar and illustrates the diversity of vehicles Jaguar plans to produce in the coming years. Also in attendance at the stall is the Project 7 concept based on the F-Type.
The C-X17 concept sits on Jaguar’s highly advanced and very expensive Modular Aluminium Architecture platform which will be underpinning several Jaguar cars in the future including the C-Class rivaling model to be positioned below the XF. The SUV measures 4718 mm, 1959 mm, 1649 mm in length, breath and height respectively. The wheelbase is measured at 2905 mm with a ground clearance of 213 mm. Design wise the C-X17 concept flaunts oodles of style from every angle possible. The influence of the XJ is quite evident at the front, whereas the rear screams F-Type. Even with influences from its older siblings, the sports crossover has a defining character of its own. The front bumper has wide air intakes and gets LED treatment for a more vibrant appeal. One look at the car and you are sure to know it means business.
On the interior front, the C-X17 concept has sports seats in two-tone upholstery to complete the ultra luxurious cabin. The instrument cluster houses bright dials and a clean dashboard with a single screen taking care of most of the controls on the car. You also get on-board secure Wi-Fi and social media channels as well as a panoramic sunroof on the C-X17. The model on display carries massive 23-inch alloy wheels for aesthetic purposes and the exterior gets a different colour theme than what we saw when displayed at the earlier motor shows.
An all new safety feature called the Rear Exit Detection has been added to the C-X17 SUV that warns passengers of any blind-spot objects such as approaching cyclists, pedestrians or mopeds while opening the door. The luxury is also equipped with ultra-premium 3D Meridian Surround system available with 28-loudspeaker systems enabling each passenger to enjoy his personal music in the cabin. Jaguar has equipped the SUV with three driving modes namely Road, Sport and All-Road which can be chosen via the digital screen.
The Jaguar C-X17 concept has been plonked with a 5.0-litre V8 Supercharged engine from the F-Type, but the production version is said to boast a range of engine options including petrol and diesels. The concept is not only a show stopper but can also perform, hitting a top speed in excess of 250 km/hr. The concept also features all-wheel drive which will be carried forward when it hits production.
The C-X17 sports crossover is a good two to three years away from its production debut, but showcases the possibility of Jaguar products in the future. With the demand for luxury SUVs constantly rising, you want to be seen in a C-X17. Touted to be called the XQ, the SUV will take on the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and the Porsche Macan. The C-X17 is certainly a car we can’t wait to lay our hands on.
