C-X75: Did the big cat have to die?

We in the motoring world didn't know how much of a tragedy it was that the C-X75 was stillborn before we heard her sing and watched her dance. Premier automotive journalists reported of a car that even at only 50% completion was upstaging Porsches long anticipated 918 supercar dynamically. On top of this, the way it looked and the sound of that incredible twin-charged Cosworth four pot wowed and shocked across the board. 

Stillborn Jag reportedly displaying
driving qualities to trouble the 918..

Jaguars defence of the decision to cancel the project was that their funds were better invested elsewhere building up their series production range with a C segment (3 series esq) X Type replacement and an SUV, but I can't help but postulate that JLR have the ideal resources for the development of an SUV and saloon bearing in mind the groups offerings consist of SUV's and saloons. Would such models be so expensive to develop given their resources? Am I missing a point here? Why not round off development and produce a limited 75 car (75^th anniversary) run at 1 million a pop. Thus taking a large wedge of cash as well as the PR and technology gains that they deemed sufficient enough a profit from the project as it stands now. Are cars like the Project 7 not just as much a waste of time as the big cat? Developed and manufactured purely for show. Perhaps sales figures of the F-Type in future may either explain the cutting of losses, or on the other hand open other questions about the legitimacy of Jags claims of being cash strapped.

Are fleeting one offs such as the

project 7 insult to injury following

the C-X75's cancelation? 

The tragedy however, that I would suggest, is that such an incredible and potentially class leading car as the C-X75 is essentially doomed to sit in the backlogs of jaguar history, hauntingly echoing the epic yet ill fated XJ220 of the early 1990s. Undeservedly so, as we can all agree that in todays car building climate Jaguar packaged both the power and the environmentally friendly credentials that the current marketplace demands ingeniously in the slender gorgeous curves echoing a rich history of XJ13s XJR15s and XJ220s. The '220 is well remembered for being outclassed almost immediately following release. I will remember the C-X75 as the car that went toe to toe with Ferrari, Mclaren and Porsche on their best day but was never given the chance to throw a punch. 

Jaguar has always had trouble breeding its big cats...

A shame to see such an iconic bloodline falter.

You might have gathered what I think following reading my ramblings... but what are your thoughts? What is the deserved fate for the C-X75? Has Jag' with the '220 and the '75 doomed the notion of a Jaguar super car forever?

UPDATE: I had a quick chat with the gentleman curating Jaguars grand display of cars at Wilton House over the weekend. He informed me that a big part of the decision to axe the '75 was that its 1.6 litre Formula 1 derived engine suffered from similar endurance issues to an F1 spec unit. I.E that a maximum of 20000 miles could be achieved from the Cosworth unit before a complete rebuild was required! Legitimate reason to cancel the car?

Genius but fundamentally flawed twin charged power plant.

 A lot of resources and clever engineering went into the packaging of the Hybrid systems in conjunction with the 1.6 litre twin charged engine. I have to to concede that continuing the development of this car given that a rethink of the powertrain is almost a necessity is difficult to justify.  

(Full report on Wilton House classic and supercar to follow...)