The decision was taken in the light of a worldwide economic downturn - and despite its competitors (Porsche, Ferrari and McLaren) soon to be launching incredibly fast, state-of-the-art hybrid supercars.

Financially, the Jaguar Land Rover group is riding high at present, with workers on the Evoque production line continuing round the clock to satisfy worldwide demand. The Range Rover was launched to universal praise in September this year, and in 2013 the eagerly awaited F-type Jaguar sports car will arrive.

The company had already taken around 100 'expressions of intent' for the C-X75, five working prototypes of which have been built. The intention was to limit production to 250. It is understood that three will be sold at auction, one will go into a museum and the remaining C-X75 will be retained by Jaguar for demonstration purposes.

The engineering principles will, of course, live on in terms of future hybrid road cars from Jaguar and Range Rover.

Photos: Jaguar