Modec, based in Coventry...
Modec, based in Coventry, West Midlands, says supermarket chain Tesco has already bought a fleet of the battery-powered machines. The zero-emissions vehicles can run for 100 miles before requiring a recharge. They have a top speed of 50mph and are exempt from road tax, as well as the London congestion charge. Prices start at ÷£25,000.
A famous Big Cat is...
A famous Big Cat is about to roar into view again. This silver dream
machine is the all-new C-Type ò€“ and itò€™s set to turn the spotlight on
Jaguar.
We previously revealed the Coventry firmò€™s plans for
an exciting new roadster. Now, Auto Express has learned Jaguar is
planning to take the stunning sports car further upmarket.
Sitting
below the XK, the C-Type line-up will cost between Ò£45,000-Ò£50,000,
targeting top-end performance cars such as Audiò€™s TT RS, the Mercedes
SLK 55 AMG and Porscheò€™s Cayman with a blend of pace, luxury and
practicality.
Following the radical but well received XF and
XJ, the newcomer is another exciting departure for the brand. It is
likely to be available as a fixed-head coupé or, as shown by our
illustrations, a roadster.
As you can see from our images, the
C-Type will be a forward-looking design with an XJ-style grille and
distinctive headlight arrangement.
With a lots of chrome mesh,
sporty air intakes and a bold bonnet bulge, it has plenty of road
presence. That continues in the sculpted edges along the flanks, vast
chrome alloys and pert but muscular tail complete with twin exhaust
pipes. An electrically operated folding canvas roof, to be stowed
behind the occupantsò€™ heads, completes the look.
The C-Type
will be also be practical. Similar in size to Audiò€™s A5, it will have a
useful boot and while our images show only two seats, the finished
article is likely to have four.
As with the XK, the new
C-Typeò€™s chassis will be an aluminium monocoque with extruded body
panels, an arrangement that is lightweight but highly strong and stiff,
benefitting handling response and also refinement.
Power will
come from Jaguarò€™s latest 5.0-litre V8, producing 380bhp. Thereò€™s also
the possibility of a twin-turbo diesel and even an R version powered by
the companyò€™s supercharged 500bhp V8.
All models will get
Jaguarò€™s super-slick six-speed automatic transmission, complete with
paddle shifters. Expect the C-Type to arrive in concept form in 2011,
with the production version following a year later.
Read our drive of Mercedes" SLS
Read our story on Porsche"s Boxster Spyder