Jaguar B99

Jaguar B99
The Jaguar B99 at the Festival Automobile International 2012
Overview
ManufacturerBertone
Also calledJaguar B99 GT
Production2011 (Concept car)
DesignerMike Robinson, Adrian Griffiths at Bertone
Body and chassis
ClassCompact executive car (D) (B99)
Grand tourer (S) (B99 GT)
Body style4-door saloon
LayoutFront-engine, rear-wheel-drive (B99)
Front-engine, all-wheel-drive (B99 GT)
DoorsConventional doors (front)
Coach Doors (rear)
Powertrain
Engine1.4 L FCA MultiAir Turbo I4
Electric motor2x AC induction/asynchronous, Permanent magnet motor (B99)
4x AC induction/asynchronous, Permanent magnet motor (B99 GT)
Hybrid drivetrainSeries Hybrid
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,800 mm (110.2 in)
Length4,500 mm (177.2 in)
Width1,950 mm (76.8 in)
Height1,350 mm (53.1 in)

The Jaguar B99 is a concept car designed and developed by the Italian design house Bertone. It was first shown to the public on the Bertone stand at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. The 4-door saloon was shown in two versions: compact executive (B99) and grand tourer (B99 GT). It was designed by Bertone's Michael Robinson and Adrian Griffiths[1] and was based more on traditional Jaguars of the Geoff Lawson era compared to more recent Jaguars designed by Ian Callum.[2]

B99

The B99 was a 4,500 mm (177.2 in) long 4-door saloon with 4 seats constructed of aluminium panels[3] and featured suicide doors. It was only 1,350 mm (53.1 in) high and 1,950 mm (76.8 in) wide and stood on a 2,800 mm (110.2 in) wheelbase.

The power train was also developed by Bertone as a hybrid; featuring a 1.4 L engine for range extension purposes with two electric motors of 201 bhp (150 kW; 204 PS) each driving the rear wheels. The car's maximum output of engine and electric motors is 570 bhp (425 kW; 578 PS). Average CO2 emissions were estimated at 30g/km with a claimed 60 mile range electric-only mode.

The B99 name stands for B for Bertone and 99 for Bertone's 99th year in operation.[4]

B99 GT

The GT2 racing version was called the Jaguar B99 GT[5] and is 500 mm (19.7 in) wider than the standard car and is 100 mm (3.9 in) lower, while the interior is stripped out and fitted with a roll cage. The GT added an additional two electric motors giving it a four-wheel drive and a total power output of 972 bhp (725 kW; 985 PS).

Reception

The B99 was reported to be well received at the Geneva Motor Show unveiling and that the B99 might form the basis of a replacement for the previous Jaguar X-Type but Jaguar confirmed that they would not be asking Bertone to develop the concept. Jaguar's Global Brand Director Adrian Hallmark was quoted as saying ‘we appreciate the fact that Jaguar is interesting enough for people to do a concept around. It's not that we are offended by it, or against it - it is just not for us.’[6]

  • B99 doors
    B99 doors
  • B99 rear
    B99 rear
  • B99 front detail
    B99 front detail
  • B99 interior
    B99 interior
  • B99 GT
    B99 GT

References

  1. ^ "Automobile June 2011". Automobilemag.com. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2011.
  2. ^ "Car Magazine 18 february 2011". Carmagazine.co.uk. 18 February 2011. Retrieved 18 December 2011.
  3. ^ "Evo 2 March 2011". Evo.co.uk. 2 March 2011. Retrieved 18 December 2011.
  4. ^ "Bertone press release 1 March 2011". Bertone.it. Archived from the original on 1 March 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2011.
  5. ^ "Top Gear 18 February 2011". Topgear.com. 18 February 2011. Archived from the original on 17 August 2011. Retrieved 18 December 2011.
  6. ^ "Evo 9 March 2011". Evo.co.uk. 9 March 2011. Retrieved 18 December 2011.