CALLUM Fulfills the Potential of the ‘One that Got Away’ with Ultimate Jaguar C-X75 Commission
- A thoroughly reengineered Jaguar C-X75, created by CALLUM, takes the car to its ultimate road-going conclusion
- Bespoke commission blends customer’s wishes with the original designer’s aim, producing a capable, refined and elegant supercar
- All-new interior, enhanced powertrain and active aero result in a driver-focussed machine, engineered to enjoy every day
[source: CALLUM Designs]
CALLUM has completed a second customer commission of the Jaguar C-X75, meticulously addressing every element to deliver the most refined iteration of the iconic supercar. Truly bespoke, it follows CALLUM’s earlier transformation of one of the four stunt cars used in the James Bond film Spectre. This time, CALLUM has gone beyond the core practicalities of readying C-X75 for the road by engineering performance, comfort and convenience into the essence of the car. Fulfilling the customer’s wish for a C-X75 that realises the promise of the original concept, the result is a thrilling, engaging and very personal commission of a much admired car.
Working in close collaboration with the owner of the C-X75, CALLUM ensured that each request – no matter how detailed or complex – was expertly integrated into the final build. Drawing on CALLUM’s previous experience transforming stunt car 007 for road use, this new commission using Car 001 goes far beyond the hundreds of standard modifications necessary for achieving Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) certification. Car 001 now features a reengineered drivetrain, active aero and an exquisite and contemporary interior that dramatically enhance the driving experience.
“C-X75 was ‘the one that got away’ – a car brimming with unfulfilled potential,” says Ian Callum, who led the team that created the car in 2010 and is now design director and co-founder of CALLUM. “We’ve combined the customer’s wishes with carefully engineered solutions to bring C-X75 to the thoroughly satisfying conclusion it always deserved.”
The supercharged V8 engine is now mated to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. Thanks to CALLUM’s in-house software and proprietary body and comfort electronics, C-X75 now offers the ability to perform as a usable road car or, when desired, switch into a dynamic sporting mode. On command, gear shifts become sharper, throttle response is more immediate and the exhaust system, tuned by an acoustic expert, enhances the experience with its exhilarating soundtrack.
To complement the increased performance, CALLUM’s engineers developed an advanced active aero package. At speeds above 60km/h it provides additional downforce to increase stability and deliver confidence-inspiring handling. An air brake function bleeds in added control during hard braking. For urban driving, a hydraulic front lift suspension offers enhanced practicality. Through extensive testing, CALLUM honed its road-focused setup, resulting in neutral, predictable balance through sweeping turns and arrow-straight stability where higher speeds are legally possible. The original front 20” and rear 21” wheels are wrapped in Michelin’s acclaimed Pilot Sport 4S tyres – ideal for road and occasional track use.
CALLUM’s designers seized the opportunity to take the exterior to the next level whilst retaining the much-admired form. Over 1,000 hours of craftsmanship went into perfecting the car’s bodywork, including precise panel alignment and a lustrous deep paint finish in Willow Green. Combining earthy tones with a hint of yellow, this gentle and natural shade is inspired by the soft muted hues of the willow tree’s delicate leaves. Distinctive touches – such as machined-from-solid, brushed aluminium finish window surrounds, bespoke filler cap and visual carbon fibre accents for the quarter light intakes and diffuser, along with the polished metal grille – contribute to the car’s striking presence. Further subtle exterior details include an etched C-X75 emblem on the exhaust tailpipe and enhanced light diffusion from the rear lights.
Inside, the transformation is more dramatic. The stunt car’s functional cockpit is replaced with a driver-centric, premium environment. The interior features a sophisticated blend of dark green and cream tones, split by a bold and dynamic 40-degree-angled “waterline” that runs through the cabin. “Sporting cars typically feature darker interiors, while comfort is often associated with lighter shades,” explains CALLUM’s head of design, Aleck Jones. “We wanted to fuse those elements in a dynamic way to reflect the dual nature of this car.”
Interior surfaces span a variety of leather textures, accentuated by a prominent metal “Arrowhead Necklace” feature that encircles the cockpit before plunging down the centre console. Three tactile rotary controls, all angled toward the driver, each with integrated touchscreens, continue the theme of clean lines. A wireless charging pad and Apple CarPlay offer an intuitive user interface and seamlessly connect with a powerful, bespoke sound system featuring punchy subwoofers and a crisp-sounding centre speaker concealed behind CALLUM’s signature deconstructed tartan.
The minimalist cockpit is crowned by an acrylic cowl that covers the digital instrument cluster, while all other controls, including the start button, are in a roof-mounted console – a nod to aircraft design whilst ensuring the pure cabin lines are retained. “Clean and beautiful, the interior is simple, not simplistic,” adds Jones. The seats, chosen specifically by the customer for optimal support, are upholstered in supple Bridge of Weir leather and complemented by three-point seat belts for added convenience. The steering wheel is custom-machined from solid billet to the customer’s exact specifications. A digital rear-view mirror, an electronic park brake integrated with the transmission and an immobiliser with ‘blipper’ key are further examples of the lengths CALLUM has gone to transform the stunt car.
“While engineering a raw stunt car into a refined modern supercar with all the expected attributes presented significant challenges, finding the right solutions excited us all,” says CALLUM’s engineering director, Adam Donfrancesco. “Integrating features including aircon and premium audio whilst also balancing the NVH, refinement and hygiene factors such as engineering the door seals to keep the elements out, all whilst ensuring it still sounded mega, was a formidable but thrilling challenge and the results speak for themselves.”
As well as pushing the envelope of C-X75’s performance and refinement, CALLUM’s engineers also embraced advanced additive manufacturing with partner Stratasys. Innovations in materials and processes enabled CALLUM to create complex forms, unlocking more elegant design solutions previously not possible. Applications include a substantial number of the interior elements, such as the sill trim that ingeniously incorporates cup holders, highlighting CALLUM’s ability to blend functionality with form.
This refined C-X75 is the latest in a growing list of ‘bespoke’ one-of-one projects that CALLUM is delivering from its Warwick, UK, headquarters. “Through the reengineering of this one-off supercar along with the electrification and validation of a lightweight sportscar, the limited production run of our own CALLUM Vanquish 25, as well as low volume interior design and manufacture programmes for cars such as the Prodrive P25, CALLUM is demonstrating its prowess at bringing a vision to an on-road reality,” adds CALLUM’s managing director, David Fairbairn.
About CALLUM
CALLUM is a design and engineering business that creates and crafts its own bespoke and limited-edition products, and provides consultancy and services to partners and third parties. Combining progressive design with engineering that pushes boundaries, CALLUM’s products and services span automotive, lifestyle, and travel.
Nimble and agile, CALLUM operates from its 20,000ft2 facility in Warwick, UK, that houses the latest technology to deliver: design; 3D modelling, printing and scanning; colour, materials and finishes development; whole vehicle engineering; vehicle development and homologation testing; prototyping; machining, and trim services.
CALLUM takes a collaborative approach: bringing together a team of 20+ talented individuals with experience across art, audio, automotive, fashion and motorsport, as well as embracing opportunities to collaborate with other businesses. Striving to build a legacy through innovative design and engineering, CALLUM takes on projects that intrigue and excite, creating stories that stir the imagination.
Established in July 2019, CALLUM’s founding members include British designer Ian Callum CBE, admired for his prolific automotive work that includes the Aston Martin Vanquish. Through its Next Generation initiative, CALLUM strives to support and nurture young minds and talent, fostering an environment that encourages peer-to-peer learning to ensure CALLUM remains relevant, progressive, and true to its roots.
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