The Jaguar C-X75, a supercar concept that wowed a decade ago, is now coming to life as a street-legal car. With the help of Callum Design and adaptations for British roads, we can now admire one of the most iconic film vehicles on real streets.
The Jaguar C-X75, a vehicle that caused quite a sensation in the automotive world at its concept debut in 2010, has now, almost 14 years later, become available on the roads - but only for a few. Originally designed as an electric supercar with two gas turbines, the concept was scrapped en route to series production. Jaguar abandoned the project in 2012 due to cost overruns, and dreams of mass production were dashed. But this was not the last chapter of this unique car.
In 2015, the C-X75 was spectacularly revived as the villain's car in a Bond film Spectre. Tuned and armed with a V-8 engine, it became an instant hit. The vehicle was built with a 5.0-liter engine, as the original concept's electrical system was replaced by a more robust and more audible supercharged V-8 for filming purposes. Thus, the vehicle became one of the best car scenes in the Bond films and an icon among car enthusiasts around the world.
Exclusive road edition in the hands of a design master
Another wonderful detail in the story of this unique car is that the road adaptation task was undertaken by none other than Ian Callum, a former designer at Jaguar. As part of his new design company, Callum Design, he and his team took on a commission from a collector who wanted to finally get his movie car on the road. The project wasn't easy though: in order to get Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) to drive on UK roads, they had to carry out several upgrades and changes, including replacing the windows, adding mirrors and tweaking the exhaust system to reduce noise.
Technical improvements and the latest touches of elegance
In order for the C-X75 to actually become roadworthy, Callum Design had to upgrade many of the vehicle's details. They changed the bodywork, reduced the gaps between the panels, removed the quick release buckles that were necessary for filming, and finished the paint job in the iconic orange seen in the film. These changes did not only increase the driver's comfort, but also the appearance, which had already impressed the world before. In addition, they adjusted the height of the suspension and dampers to make the ride more comfortable for normal road conditions, which of course also contributes to an even better ride.
Jaguar's story of a bold concept
Looking back, the Jaguar C-X75 was designed with the most daring engineering ideas. Originally designed with a pair of gas turbines to charge the electric motors and a power output of 900 horsepower, the C-X75 was a conceptual achievement intended only for the most advanced technologies of the time. However, high costs and the economic situation halted development, and Jaguar kept only a few prototypes after this failure. Performance in Spectrum was thus one of the rare opportunities for the world to see this technical masterpiece in action.
For collectors and enthusiasts
Today, the customized Jaguar C-X75 is a symbol of exclusivity and collectability. This car is not just a vehicle, but a work of art with a story and a deep-rooted cinematic heritage. The final customization has added lasting value to the car that goes far beyond the technical specifications, incorporating all the elegance and brutality that has marked Jaguar's history of innovation. The vehicle will be publicly presented at the Bicester Heritage Scramble event in the United Kingdom, where car enthusiasts will be able to admire this unique vehicle.
The Jaguar C-X75 thus represents the ultimate collector's vehicle, combining the technical achievements of the past with attractiveness and performance. With this unique adaptation, however, it remains an icon reminiscent of Jaguar's boldness and vision.
