2005 Jaguar Advanced Lightweight Coupe Concept

While the Advanced Lightweight Coupe pleases the senses with its sensual styling and rich interior, the car possesses even greater

Lurking under the wind-sculpted body is an aluminum monocoque chassis derived from the flagship 'X350' Jaguar XJ sedan. (Photo: Jaguar Cars North America)

beauty, beneath its skin. Lurking under the wind-sculpted body is an aluminum monocoque chassis derived from the flagship 'X350' Jaguar XJ sedan. Aluminum is extensively used in sports cars for suspension components, and body panels, but the metal is rarely used in the actual frame of the vehicle mainly due to production costs. The advantages of aluminum for use in automobiles ise plain and clear cut: 60% increase in structural rigidity and 40% lighter than an equivalent steel-constructed vehicle.

The XJ sedan has already proved the benefits of aluminum: its lighter weight means that the massive sedan is much more nimble and agile than it might ever appear to be, while improving fuel consumption, performance and ride quality. With a powerful V8 under its hood, routed through a six-speed paddleshift automatic gearbox, Jaguar estimates that the ALC could reach 100 km/h

The Advanced Lightweight Coupe, introduced in on Detroit's Cobo Arena stage by Design Director Ian Callum, could be on our streets in a relatively short amount of time. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

in under five seconds, thanks to its sleek body shape would be cable of breaking 290 km/h.

Given the current XJ-series sports cars are near the end of their life cycle, the similar body shapes, and that Jaguar are intent on moving forward with aluminum-intensive vehicles, the Advanced Lightweight Coupe could be on our streets in a relatively short amount of time. It possess the right amount of visual flair, and enough advanced technology to pose a serious threat to Aston Martin's AMV8, Maserati's Coupe and Porsche's 911, bringing Jaguar back into the realm as a serious competitor. If the green light is given, the ALC would be the one of the first dramatic Jaguars of the 21st century to enter production; a sign of progress in the Jaguar camp.