LUXURIOUS SPORT CARS

Jaguar is rounding out the all-new XJ series with an armored special protection version called the Sentinel, which will be revealed for the first time in public at the upcoming 2010 Moscow International Motor Show (Aug. 25-29). The new XJ Sentinel is aimed at those who for whatever reason fear for their life, promising to stop attacks ranging from .9mm hand guns to explosives.
The XJ Sentinel is beefed up with extra high-strength steel with Kevlar backing that was engineered in partnership with armoring specialist, Centigon, offering ballistic protection up to B7 level (BS EN 1522 level FB7 and BS EN 1063 BR7-), blast protection against 15kg (33 pounds) of TNT equivalent detonated within close proximity of the vehicle, and substantial under floor grenade protection.
It rides on strengthened 19-inch Aleutian Alloy Wheels with 245/45 19" Dunlop Self Supporting Technology Run on Flat tires.
Despite the added protection, Jaguar says the Sentinel is "virtually indistinguishable" from the standard XJ model.
The car is based on the long wheelbase version of the XJ saloon with power coming from a 385HP 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. According to the company, it completes the 0 to 100km/h (62mph) sprint in 9.7 seconds and achieves a top speed of 195km/h (121mph).
To cope with the increased body weight (the Sentinel tips the scales at 3,800kg or 8,377 lbs), the firm's engineers up-rated and re-tuned the suspension and steering wheel systems, and added a more powerful braking system sourced from the 510HP Supercharged (non-armored) XJ model.
"The XJ Sentinel is the ultimate armoured luxury limousine," said Mike O'Driscoll, Managing Director at Jaguar Cars. "It offers governments, security organisations and private individuals, the highest level of security, with advanced design, refined performance and a beautifully-crafted cabin. The XJ Sentinel will be the vehicle of choice for the most discerning," he added.

To celebrate the big 7-5, Jaguar has rolled out its XJ220-inspired 780-horsepower C-X75 RE-EV (range-extended electric vehicle) concept. Power for this looker is supplied by electric motors working in conjunction with "micro gas-turbines", which also throw in 1180 lb-ft / 1,600 Nm of torque. Jaguar claims the 6-hour-to-charge plug-in sports car has a range of 560 / 900 km miles and an Lithium-ion-only range of 68 miles with a "potential top speed" of 205 mph (330 km/h).
The four 195-horse / 145 kW electric motors are mounted at the corners (one at each wheel) and provide torque vectoring, while the turbines - which can charge the batteries or add 188 horsepower in Track mode - are located centrally in a Texalium-lined compartment. Cooling for the turbines comes from the design of the car itself, which uses integrated channels to move air to the necessary areas.
Inside the car, people will find all the sport-lux essentials: leather, neoprene, soft-touch materials, polished and vapor-blasted aluminum, and seats mounted directly to the bulkhead "as in a single-seater racing car".
Then how does someone get into a comfortable driving position? Glad you asked; all the driver's essentials (steering wheel, gauges, etc.) move forward and then slide back for simplified ingress/egress through the out-and-up doors.
Taking a note from Saab and Spyker, there are a few aeronautical touches throughout the cabin a well. Examples include the gear shifter, a trick switch in the overhead panel that starts the car, and a "stealth" setting that reduces ambient lighting when in track mode.
Also found on the concept is "dramatic theater lighting" which lights up various areas of the car when the key fob is detected nearby, as well as certain interior areas (like the Bowers & Wilkins speakers) when the car is turned on.
Jaguar Land Rover CEO Dr. Ralf Speth says, "Performance through innovation has always been a Jaguar hallmark. From the beginning, cars such as the C-Type and D-Type pioneered aluminum construction, aerodynamic design, racing monocoques and disc brakes. The C-X75 demonstrates that the company is still leading the field in automotive design and technology."
By Phil Alex

We've already played 'show and tell' with Jaguar's C-X75 Concept (read full details here), but now we've got real live photos from the pre-show media event as well as from the British firm's Paris Motor Show stand, plus a trio of videos including one from last night's presentation.
As a refresher, the concept model is powered by four 195HP-strong electric motors, one for each wheel producing a total of 780-horsepower and a mind-blowing 1600Nm (1180lb ft) of peak torque. The car also gets two micro gas-turbines spinning at 80,000 rpm, with Jaguar claiming they can generate enough electricity to extend the driving range to a 560 miles.
The C-X75 can accelerate from standstill to 100km/h (62mph) in just 3,4 seconds and is capable of reaching a top speed of 330km/h (205mph).
Although Jaguar says the C-X75 is a pure design study created to celebrate 75 years of the marque and provide a glimpse into the design future of the firm, insiders claims there's a strong possibility we may see the car inspiring a production model.