Jaguar C-X75 and C-X16 future stars

And they have created a surprising - and surprisingly patient - waiting list of buyers. The Jaguar C-X75 supercar is still just a dream machine, and the C-X16 might never be more than just a great idea to revive the E-Type, but that hasn't stopped cheque-in-hand buyers taking a place in the line for local deliveries.

They all want to be first, or as close to first as possible, when the 21st century supercats break cover.

"We've got a handful of firm orders for the C-X75. But that's enough," says David Blackhall, managing director at Jaguar Land Rover  Asia-Pacific. He tells Carsguide the C-X75 has now gone from a motor show tease to a production project, but the car is still probably five years from the road.

"The current thinking is that it will be ready in 2015 or 2016. It's something where the attitude is that we'll do it right and it will take whatever it takes," he says. "My view is that this will be an exercise in showing a technical tour de force. I think it's a statement."

Blackhall confirms that Jaguar has dumped plans for a jet-engined hybrid powertrain, and admits it will be mostly petrol-powered, but will not discuss rumours of a V8 engine in the middle of the C-X75.

"It's going to have a hybrid element. What that is, excactly, we're not sure yet. We're working very closely with the Williams F1 people."

The C-X16 project, which re-emerged at the Los Angeles Motor Show looking like a production car with fresh white paint, Blackhall says there is no decision on a production date. But he knows it can - or will - be a winner for Jaguar. "It's in the plan. This car will be more accessible. There are traditional Jagar guyers who are interested, and then the under-50s who now say there is a Jaguar sports car they can relate to.

"There are two main bits of feedback from potential customers. Firstly there are the people who say ‘Jaguar is doing a successor to the E- Type’ and then there are people equate it to the Boxster."