Extreme Jaguar F-type at Goodwood

This is actually the Jaguar Project 7, a design study driven by F-type convertible, that has made its debut in the Goodwood Festival of Speed.  As well as evoking the spirit from the Jaguar D-type and Jaguar’s Le Mans history, the Project 7 gives a further indication that Jaguar is preparing to launch an extreme version from the F-type. The newest reports suggest the new hardcore F-type can get a minimum of 650bhp and, potentially, four-wheel drive. The Project 7, named in homage to Jaguar’s seven Le Mans wins, is billed like a one-off design study created in the behest of design director Ian Callum. He said : “Project 7 has got the type of racing-inspired form that designers dream about. suggestion:inch,inches,in[click to edit]')" onmouseout="UnTip()">" It‘s one purpose : to become driven fast and enjoyed. Jaguar sports cars have been shown for exceptional performance and clean design. Project 7 captures that spirit in its purest form. ”His vision is backed by Jaguar’s engineering team, that has offered the car a 542bhp version of Jaguar’s 5. 0-litre supercharged engine, with 501lb ft of torque, as based in the Jaguar XJR and XKR-S. That’s 54bhp and 41lb ft greater than the range-topping F-type V8 S.  It also sits 10mm lower when compared to a standard F-type, has retuned springs and dampers and features a free-flow exhaust system having a ceramic finish. Jaguar claims a 0-60mph time of 4. 1sec, a 50-75mph time of 2. 4sec and also a limited top speed of 186mph. The Project 7 will certainly be driven exclusively by Jaguar’s lead development driver, Mike Cross, through the entire Festival of Speed. He said : “Project 7 has given us the chance to go slightly further. It‘s visceral in each and every sense — in its response, its sound and it is sheer performance. ”Key exterior changes include a D-type-inspired fairing behind the driver’s head, a carbonfibre front splitter, side skirts, rear diffuser, fixed rear wing, a lowered windscreen and also a restyled front bumper.  The roof structure is completely removed and also a roll hoop installed. Inside, it features a single racing seat and harness, a helmet holder and also a bespoke trim design. The blue paint scheme evokes the colour from the Jaguar D-types that won the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1956 and 1957. The Project 7 was created to succeed headlines for Jaguar in the Festival of Speed, which it regards as its home motor show and which attracts international interest on the par along with major motor shows. Although a Jaguar spokesman denied it, rumours have also persisted that Jaguar wanted to ensure its F-type remained inside the limelight in the festival, regardless of the headline event being the 50th anniversary of Porsche’s 911. The creation from the Project 7 also signals Jaguar’s intention to make an F-type R-S GT to sit like the flagship model in its range. The project, which might presumably be driven by forthcoming F-type coupé, is said to possess found favour inside the wake from the cancellation from the Jaguar C-X75 hypercar programme, particularly because it feeds directly back straight into the promotion of the mainstream model inside the company’s range. The hot F-type is prone to reach production in 2015. It is predicted to become powered by a similar supercharged V8 as utilized in the Project 7 car, albeit in a better state of tune.  Brand boss Adrian Hallmark has previously admitted that engineers have experimented with higher-output versions from the engine, but they‘ve struggled to obtain the additional power recorded on an open road. Consequently, Jaguar is said to become weighing up the usage of a four-wheel drive system upon the hardcore new F-type variant.  In the build-up towards the launch from the F-type GT, Jaguar is likewise expected to develop more hard-edged versions of both the coupé and convertible. Insiders have confirmed the company plans to market the R, R-S and GT brands more aggressively in future.  R models will certainly be billed as sporting versions of mainstream models, R-S cars will certainly be extreme performance vehicles and GT variants will certainly be limited-edition, track-focused specials. The Jaguar D-Type was produced between 1954 and 1957 in extremely limited numbers and won Le Mans in 1955, 1956 and 1957. It‘s famed for being designed beneath the stewardship of ex-Bristol Aeroplane Company luminary Malcolm Sayer, using aeronautical technology, a rarity at that time. Sayer insisted on the minimal frontal area, reworked the flow of air under one‘s body and produced the iconic elliptical cockpit shape to scale back drag. Such was the car’s top speed that the rear-mounted fin needed to be added behind the driver’s head to supply extra stability, most notably upon the Mulsanne Straight at Le Mans. To the 1955 race, the headrest fairing and aerodynamic fin were combined for the very first time, creating one unit that both smoothed the aerodynamics further and saved weight. The timing from the Project 7’s launch also harks to the lightweight Jaguar E-type’s unveiling in 1963, meaning it shares its 50th anniversary using the Porsche 911. The E-type was also famous for being constructed of riveted aluminium, drawing another neat parrallel using the new F-type. For many the newest news coming from the Goodwood Festival of Speed, stay tuned in to Autocar. co. uk Extreme Jaguar F-type at Goodwood