Once a Bond villain’s dream machine, the Jaguar C-X75 now roars to life as a road-legal masterpiece thanks to an ex-design director.
Ian Callum, former Jaguar design chief, has brought a rare Jaguar C-X75 back to life, this time as a road-ready, supercharged V8-powered supercar. For Callum, this project felt like a chance to finish what was started in 2010, when the C-X75 debuted as an ambitious concept car with a futuristic hybrid powertrain. The concept made waves with its innovative series hybrid system, including turbine engines to power electric motors, generating an impressive 778 horsepower. Jaguar initially intended to make 250 of these models, partnering with Williams Advanced Engineering to create a more potent version with a hybrid V8. But, with an eye-watering price tag and a tough economy, the project was cut short.
Jaguar’s vision for the C-X75 didn’t entirely disappear. The car got its place in the spotlight in the 2015 James Bond movie Spectre as the ride of choice for villain Mr. Hinx, played by Dave Bautista. For the film, the C-X75 was rebuilt with a roaring 5.0-liter V8 and placed on a tubular spaceframe chassis, making it a fast, menacing stunt machine. Several of these stunt cars still exist, and four were sold to collectors. Callum’s design consultancy took on one of these models, making it street-legal last year. Now, the company has transformed another of these rare vehicles, giving it some new tricks that the original C-X75 would have had if it made it to production.
This time, the upgrades go beyond what we saw in Spectre. Callum’s team added a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, created custom electronics to give the car road and track modes, and developed an active aero system to increase stability above 37 mph. A hydraulic nose lift was added for managing speed bumps, while larger wheels and enhanced brakes make it even more road-friendly. The car’s body has also had over 1,000 hours of work, repainted in Willow Green with carbon fiber accents and aluminum detailing for an even sleeker finish.
The interior has been reimagined to add comfort and tech, a major upgrade from the barebones stunt car interior. Inside, it’s all luxury, with a blend of dark green and cream leather, custom seats, and high-end finishes. The car features a digital instrument cluster, a center console with rotary controls and touchscreen integration, Apple CarPlay, and wireless charging. A custom steering wheel milled from a solid block of aluminum and dark metal accents round out the luxurious design.
For Callum, the C-X75 represents unfinished business, a supercar that almost was. He described it as “the one that got away.” Only seven C-X75s exist from the Spectre production, making this re-engineered version one of the rarest cars with Callum’s design signature. Jaguar’s initial C-X75 concept was cutting-edge, and its spirit lives on in this bespoke commission, which is set to hit the streets of London. Reflecting on the C-X75’s design legacy, Callum noted that elements of this supercar influenced later Jaguar models, like the F-Type, and that seeing the C-X75 on the road is a fitting conclusion to its story.
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