C-X75 - INSIDE THE STORM

I’ve always wanted to incorporate an ejector‑seat lever in a car interior. It’s every car designer’s fantasy. With the C‑X75, we finally got the chance, writes Alister Whelan, Jaguar’s Advanced Interiors Manager.

It’s this beautifully milled, aircraft‑grade aluminum lever mounted at the base of the seat, between the driver’s and passenger’s legs. Pull it and it opens the doors.

We definitely wanted to have a little fun with the interior. After all, this is a 200 mph range‑extended electric supercar with essentially two jet engines in the back. So we felt it wasn’t out of place to incorporate a few fighter‑jet inspired features.

We have a start button that’s encased behind a safety catch mounted in the aircraft‑inspired overhead controls. Then there’s a gear‑selector modeled after a fighter jet’s throttle control. At the side of it, there’s a rotary safety catch that engages the car’s Dynamic Performance setting, plus a turbine boost button ‑ very Top Gun.

As on the all‑new XJ, we’ve replaced traditional analog instruments with high‑resolution thin‑film transistor LCD screen technology. We’ve echoed a jet fighter’s ‘wingman’ concept by displaying the car’s Human‑machine Interface on three separate displays.

This is pretty cool technology. Between the three screens, the car can carefully filter and manage graphical data flow preventing 'information overload' which may distract the driver.

Such information as speed, acceleration, power production, power usage and active aerodynamic status, along with navigation, audio and smart phone content are now intuitively managed by your Jaguar Wingman.

For any car designer, to be able to help create a concept for a Jaguar supercar is a dream come true. For myself and the other designers from the Jaguar advanced team who created the interior – Hugo Nightingale, Pierre Sabas and Siobhan Huges – it was a once‑in‑a‑lifetime experience.

The challenge, of course, was to push the interior design as far as we could, but still make sure the car had the look, feel and character of a Jaguar. So many supercars on the market are single‑mindedly performance focused. We made a deliberate decision to make the C‑X75 very luxurious as well, and with the exquisite craftsmanship you’d expect in a Jaguar.

You can see that in the materials we’ve used. There is the highest‑quality leathers for the dashboard, headliner and seats. To add a more technical contrast, the instrument binnacle, gear selector and parts of the steering wheel are covered in a soft‑feel textured neoprene – the same material used in a diver’s wetsuit. Look closely and you’ll see that the graining is actually shaped like the traditional Jaguar Heritage ‘lozenge’ logo.

Lighting is also a key element in the design of the C‑X75’s cabin. We wanted to create a real sense of occasion for the driver and passenger as they approach and climb in.

As the driver gets close, a bright ring of phosphor blue wire lighting outlines the shape of the car, leading the eye around the lightweight aluminum monocoque tub and into the turbine chamber.

When driver and passenger climb aboard, the electro‑luminescent wire illumination is replaced by LEDs emitting a phosphor blue light that dims as they settle into the cockpit. It gives a real sense of theater and excitement.

One element we’re especially proud of is the door design. We discovered this remarkable new material we call Micro‑Mesh; vapor treated sheet aluminum that has millions of etched microscopic holes. This beautiful material is then carefully formed and rolled into shape by expert metal crafters.

When you step into the car, the door panels appear solid, but as you settle into the seat, LEDs behind the mesh start to give off an ambient glow which makes the panels appear almost translucent revealing new unique nano speakers hidden deep in the doors. Suddenly the cabin feels twice as wide providing a 'second read' of exquisite design detailing.

Sitting inside the C‑X75 really is a very special experience. So much of the overall design reflects the fact that the car has these two micro turbines behind the rear bulkhead that require vast amounts of air; 25,000 liters a minute for combustion.

With all the air ducting running along the sides of the cabin, we wanted to give the feeling that you’re sitting in the calm while this storm of fast moving air is going on all around you. All the interior trim surfaces are very flowing and organic.

If you get to the L.A. Auto Show next week, take some time to look inside this remarkable concept. And remember to try‑out that ejector seat lever. Don’t worry, it only opens the door. I promise.