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ON LE TOUR: Jaguar F-PACE Prototype to Lead Team Sky at the Tour de France

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Wednesday 1 July 2015: Jaguar will set the pace for Team Sky this Saturday when a prototype version of the highly anticipated Jaguar F-PACE will support the team at the Tour de France Grand Depart in Utrecht.

Jaguar’s first performance crossover is due to be revealed later in the year and is in its final stages of development. Part of final testing included sending a prototype to Team Sky rider Chris Froome’s La Pierre-Saint-Martin training camp as a real-world test of the Jaguar crossover’s performance, durability and clever packaging. The team then chose the same car to support them during stage one of the Tour de France – their most demanding and high profile event.

The job of the support vehicle is to carry a crew of up to four people including the Team Sky Sports Director, doctor, mechanic and another senior team member. The wide, spacious cabin of the F-PACE accommodates the crew in complete comfort while the boot space is the largest in class to help carry the team’s equipment including drinks, energy gels, clothing, tools and spares for the bike.

The F-PACE Prototype will support Chris Froome on the first of 21 stages, the individual time trial, which starts at Utrecht in the heart of the Netherlands on Saturday, 4 July. The time trial heads south towards Belgium over a twisting route of 13.7km; the riders setting a blistering pace and pushing themselves to the limits of endurance even at this early stage of the competition.

The training camp was the location for the first in a series of short films, which give an insight into the rigorous testing and development of F-PACE prototypes around the world.

The film captures Froome being followed by the Team Sky F-PACE on a Tour de France recon tackling one of this year’s grueling climbs, as the 2013 Tour winner prepares to mount his challenge for a second yellow jersey in Paris.

Froome, said: “The F-PACE is awesome. It has all of the same high performance road dynamics and support package the team gets from its Jaguar’s vehicles, only this time in a performance crossover. It’s going to create a huge impression in Utrecht.

“Team Sky is built around performance, and Jaguar’s engineering expertise and technological innovations, especially over the last 12 months co-engineering the Pinarello DOGMA F8 and DOGMA K8-S bikes, consistently helps get the best out of the team. I’m sure the F-PACE will be no different.”

Froome added: “The tour is everything to me. There’s something special about it. The hype, the passion, the crowds. Everything is completely overwhelming. I can’t wait to get on the road now and get into the race. I’m back with a vengeance this year.”

The Team Sky F-PACE Prototype will also sport a cutting edge bike racking solution, developed by Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations. The rack has a unique telescopic clamp, designed specifically to optimise the quick-release of Team Sky’s Pinarello Bolide Time Trial bikes.

“We are delighted to be supporting Team Sky again at such a prestigious sporting event and are excited at the prospect of the F-PACE being seen in action in public for the first time”, said Kevin Stride, Vehicle Line Director, Jaguar F-PACE.

“The Jaguar F-PACE is a striking balance of performance, style and practicality,” he continued. “And what better way to showcase the vehicle’s attributes than on this crucial first leg of the Tour de France.”

To mark the reveal of the Team Sky F-PACE and because the car is under wraps until its global reveal later in the year, Jaguar has produced a special camouflage. The soft wrap reflects the performance and design of both the F-PACE and Team Sky and has been inspired by the Tour de France and road racing bikes. It depicts unique carbon textures, rubber and chains interspersed with the iconic Team Sky design to create a stunning, rich, layered effect which will keep the exact design details of the F-PACE secret until later this year.

Jaguar’s Team Sky F-PACE Prototype will only support the team on stage one of the Tour de France in Utrecht on Saturday July 4.

UPON REFLECTION: Jaguar at Mille Miglia 2015

(Coventry – 29 May 2015).  Following a hugely successful Mille Miglia in 2015, Jaguar Heritage has released a film of this year’s rally, giving viewers an in-depth look at an event once described as ‘The most beautiful race in the world’.

In the year that Jaguar celebrates its 80th anniversary, the official Jaguar Heritage team headed to the start in Brescia with three C-types, three D-types, two XK120s and an XK140 driven by famous faces from the world of motorsport, TV and music. Following the Jaguar Heritage cavalcade were a group of media guests driving various examples of new Jaguar XE and latest generation of F-TYPE sports cars.

Supported by an expert crew of Jaguar Heritage technicians, the nine Jaguar entries ran smoothly throughout the gruelling four-day event. Driven by the likes of supermodel David Gandy, model and TV presenter Jodie Kidd, and musician Elliot Gleave – better known as Example – the Jaguar Heritage team finished strongly in the Mille Miglia’s regularity trial rankings, too.

Jaguar Design Director, Ian Callum, who was driving an Ecurie Ecosse D-type said: “It’s a huge privilege to be part of that car’s history – because it’s made even more history now, being part of the Mille Miglia. This year’s drive was pure enjoyment for me, pure exhilaration. This event is amazing – it gives you a unique feeling for what the car is about. It underlines exactly what the Jaguar brand is all about.”

TV chef and renowned car collector James Martin – who drove a Jaguar Heritage D-type with adventurer Charley Boorman – said of the event:  “You feel elated at the end. It’s just the most amazing feeling. I’ve been through the turmoil and the heartache of not finishing the Mille Miglia so to be able to cross that line…I’m a tough Yorkshire farmer, but I had tears in my eyes!”

 

IN CELEBRATION: Star-Studded Lineup for Jaguar at 2015 Mille Miglia

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(Whitley, Coventry – 30 April 2015). Jaguar is celebrating its 80th anniversary by once again taking on the legendary challenge that is the Mille Miglia. Held from 14-17 May in Italy, Jaguar Heritage Racing will be fielding a team of drivers who will cover more than 1,000 miles from Brescia-Rome-Brescia in nine of the marque’s most celebrated models.

Famous faces from the world of motorsport, TV and music will put their historic Jaguars through their paces on the gruelling route which takes place over four punishing but unforgettable days starting in Brescia, heading to Rimini, Rome, Parma and then back to Brescia. Crowds lining the route will get to see examples of historically-significant Jaguar XKs, C-types and D-types hurtling past them with famous faces in the cockpits.

Five-time winner of the Le Mans 24hr, three-time Daytona 24hr winner and world sportscar veteran, Derek Bell, will make his Mille Miglia debut driving a Jaguar C-type.  Derek is driving as a guest of art collector and classic car enthusiast Adam Lindemann.

Piloting the second C-type, ‘NDU 289’, will be Jaguar Vehicle Integrity Chief Engineer Mike Cross, while the final C-type, ‘PUG 676’, will be driven by Royal Automobile Club Motoring Committee Chairman, Ben Cussons.

Driving ‘RSF 303’, a priceless Jaguar D-type ‘Long Nose’ Ecurie Ecosse racer, which finished second at Le Mans in 1957, will be Jaguar Design Director, Ian Callum. A veteran of the Mille Miglia, Ian drove with US chat show host Jay Leno in the 2014 event – this year he will be partnering up with businessman and classic car enthusiast, Clive Beecham.

At the wheel of a Jaguar MK VII will be a man who’s no stranger to speed and sleep deprivation – Charley Boorman. More used to two wheels than four thanks to his many motorbike adventures, Charley will be partnered by Bremont co-founder
Giles English. The fastest saloon car of its day, a Jaguar MK VII was famously piloted to victory in the 1956 Monte Carlo Rally by Ronnie Adams with co-drivers Frank Biggar and Derek Johnstone.

Making for a very glamorous cockpit is ‘OOF 748’ – the XK120 roadster of model, TV presenter and current host of Channel 5’s The Classic Car Show, Jodie Kidd, whose co-driver will be male supermodel, GQ columnist and classic car enthusiast, David Gandy.

Host of the hugely popular BBC One show, Saturday Kitchen and well-known TV chef, James Martin, will be partnered by Bremont co-founder Nick English, brother of Giles. They will share the penultimate ‘Long Nose’ Jaguar D-type ever built, registered ‘393 RW’. Completing the trio of D-types will be one of the classic car world’s most respected experts, Simon Kidston.

Completing the Jaguar Heritage team line-up is successful British singer/song-writer Elliot Gleave, otherwise known as Example. Elliot will be driving a XK140 with his father, Michael, as co-pilot. The XK140, registered ‘TAC 743’, was once owned by successful British racing driver David Hobbs.

On the Mille Miglia, a number of new Jaguar XEs will also support the Jaguar Heritage Racing team, following the full route through Italy with broadcast crews and VIP guests.

ON THE BIG SCREEN: James Bond Villains Will Give Chase in Jaguar C-X75 Concept, Land Rovers

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Monday 9 Feb 2015 12:01  GMT: Jaguar Land Rover has announced its line-up of vehicles set to feature in SPECTRE, the 24th James Bond adventure, from Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Sony Pictures Entertainment.  These will include the Jaguar C-X75, Range Rover Sport SVR and Defender Big Foot, which have been provided by Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations.

The Jaguar C-X75 will feature in a spectacular car chase sequence through Rome alongside the Aston Martin DB10. The C-X75 vehicles used in filming have been built in collaboration with Williams Advanced Engineering facility in Oxfordshire, England.

Scenes including the heavily modified versions of Land Rover Defender & Range Rover Sport SVR have already been filmed in Austria. The Range Rover Sport SVR is the fastest and most powerful Land Rover ever. The highly capable Big Foots were constructed by Special Operations with huge 37-inch diameter off-road tyres to tackle the extreme terrain. They also feature bespoke suspension systems and enhanced body protection.

Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations, John Edwards, said: “This is an exciting partnership for Jaguar Land Rover and an opportunity to demonstrate the fantastic capabilities of the Special Operations team.’’

Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles have been involved in a succession of Bond films. Most recently, in 2012, the rugged Defender 110 Double Cab Pick Up was driven by field agent Eve Moneypenny in the opening sequence to SKYFALL.

IN THE NEWS: Jaguar Unveils All-Wheel-Drive F-Type R Coupé

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(SOUTH AFRICA) – November 5, 2014 – Today, in the South African desert on Hakskeen Pan, Jaguar unveiled the new 2016 F-TYPE R Coupe featuring all-wheel-drive technology, a first for the F-TYPE line-up. Expanding its dynamic capability of reaching 60 mph in 3.9 seconds with a limited top-speed of 186 mph1, standard Instinctive All-Wheel-Drive® and Intelligent Driveline Dynamics will provide F-TYPE R drivers with improved traction and confidence in a variety of road conditions2.

The addition of all-wheel-drive is one of a number of performance enhancements to the award-winning Jaguar F-TYPE model range which will grow from six to 12 derivatives in the 2016 model year – the full model range will debut at the 2014 Los Angeles International Auto Show on November 19.

The reveal also marks the start of a technical partnership between Jaguar and Bloodhound SSC. With the ultimate aim of raising the world land speed record to above 1,000 mph, Jaguar assisted the Bloodhound SSC team in successfully completing a vital communications test at the Hakskeen Pan in the Northern Cape of South Africa.

On the relatively soft surface of the Hakskeen Pan, the stability of the F-TYPE R AWD Coupe was demonstrated as it was driven flat-out by Bloodhound SSC chairman and former world land speed record holder, Richard Noble.

Fitted with the same radio equipment as the Bloodhound SSC, the F-TYPE was driven at top speed towards a jet flown at 500 mph and just above 50-ft above the ground. The combined closing speed of almost 700 mph enabled the successful test of the system that will allow communications between the ground crew and Andy Green in the Bloodhound SSC, which will run for the first time on the Hakskeen Pan just twelve months from now. Andy Green currently holds the supersonic land speed record of 763.035 mph which he set in the Thrust SSC in 1997 in the U.S.

Full details of the new 2016 model year F-TYPE model range will be announced at the 2014 Los Angeles International Auto Show on November 19. The Jaguar Land Rover press conference will take place at 2:40 pm PST (22:40 GMT). Andy Green will be available at the press conference to confirm the full extent of the technical collaboration between Jaguar and the Bloodhound SSC program.

IN THE NEWS: World Premier of Jaguar XE

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(MAHWAH, N.J.) – September 8, 2014 – The Jaguar XE has been revealed to the world at an event held at Earl’s Court, London. A true driver’s car, the Jaguar XE redefines the concept of the sports sedan thanks to its advanced lightweight construction, streamlined styling, luxurious interior, and outstanding ride and handling. The XE goes on sale in 2015 in Global Markets and in 2016 in North America. The high-performance S model will be at the top of the global line-up at launch in 2015.

The Jaguar XE S provides responsiveness and refinement from a supercharged 3.0-liter V6. Generating 340hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, this engine is linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shift controls. Accelerating from 0-60 mph in just 4.9 seconds, the XE S has an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph1.

The aluminum-intensive Jaguar XE is the first model developed from the new JLR modular vehicle architecture. The long wheelbase and low seating position enable perfect proportions and a streamlined, coupe-like profile. The S model’s large front air intakes, chrome side vents, discreet rear spoiler and optional 20-inch forged alloy wheels reinforce its’ performance potential.

The cabin offers outstanding levels of comfort and spaciousness. Exquisite materials and finishes, combined with traditional Jaguar craftsmanship make this an interior without compare.

The Jaguar XE will be the first Jaguar to be equipped with electric power steering. This system is tuned to provide responsiveness and excellent feel, and offers improved efficiency over hydraulic systems.

The aluminum-intensive Jaguar XE is manufactured at an all-new facility at the Jaguar Land Rover Solihull plant. Part of a £1.5bn GBP investment, this highly flexible, manufacturing site will create 1,700 jobs. The XE completes the Jaguar sedan range sitting below the XF and XJ models.

Compelling design
The Jaguar XE was developed in parallel with the new modular architecture. The architecture unlocks design possibilities that did not exist before because the core dimensions were determined by design and engineering working together from the very beginning, under a philosophy of ‘anything we can imagine, we can create.

This makes it possible to realize perfect proportions: short front and rear overhangs and dynamic, cab-rearward stance. The architecture also enables the XE to feature both a low, sporty driving position and a sleek, coupe-like profile.

The strongly-sculpted hood creates a taut, muscular appearance. The rising waistline adds to the sense of movement, while the form of the rear quarters takes inspiration from the F-TYPE Coupe. The signature J-Blade daytime running lights are a recognizable Jaguar design element. In the rear lights, a horizontal line intersecting a circle is a powerful styling feature inherited from the iconic E-Type.

Jaguar has a rich history of producing stunning, aerodynamically-efficient cars. The new Jaguar XE continues the tradition of uncompromised form and function: its streamlined shape has a low drag coefficient of 0.26. This achievement is the result of 1,200 computational fluid dynamics simulations and million hours of processor time.

“Our mission was to create an exciting and dynamic design clearly reflecting the XE positioning as a serious driver’s car. The cab-rearward proportions and tight packaging achieve that and give the XE the appearance of movement even when it’s standing still. It bears a strong family resemblance to the F-TYPE and will stand apart in the crowd.”
–  Ian Callum, Jaguar Director of Design

The spacious cabin cocoons front seat passengers with a deep center console which creates a cockpit-like feel. The F-TYPE-style instrument panel dials and the cluster needle sweep on start-up further emphasize the sports sedan attributes of the Jaguar XE.

Front and rear seat occupants enjoy generous amounts of head and legroom – the XE proves that sleek, streamlined styling and interior space need not be mutually exclusive; fine-grain leathers and details such as contrasting twin-needle stitching give the cabin a bespoke quality. The choice of gloss black, textured aluminum, and contemporary wood veneers enhance the luxurious, hand-crafted feel. Available ambient lighting in a range of up to 10 colors adds to the sense of occasion.

Aluminum-intensive unibody
Jaguar is highly experienced in the use of aluminum construction. The expertise in working with this lightweight material has culminated in the revolutionary body structure of the new Jaguar XE. It is the first model designed around this all-new modular architecture.

Much of the aluminum is high-strength, 6000-series alloy. The body sides are a perfect example: these complex pressings are formed in one piece, and what would once have been 1.5mm gauge sheet has been reduced to just 1.1mm.

Sustainability is a big part of the Jaguar aluminum story. Recycling this highly valuable material delivers impressive savings in overall CO2 emissions and the new XE uses RC 5754 – an aluminum alloy made predominantly from recycled material. Future models will also use RC 5754 and this breakthrough will help Jaguar towards its goal of using 75 percent recycled material by 2020. The use of recycled aluminum reduces demand for primary aluminum, saving energy.

Riveting and bonding the lightweight body structure of the Jaguar XE consumes less energy than traditional spot welding. The XE also contains 101lbs. of recycled plastics and renewable materials, further reducing its environmental impact.

“The XE is as strong and light as it could possibly be thanks to exhaustive analysis and by bringing the latest engineering techniques to bear on its design. It has been challenging to accomplish but the XE structure is absolutely at the cutting edge of what is achievable today.”
– Dr. Mark White, Chief Technical Specialist, Jaguar; Body Complete

Chassis
The new Jaguar XE features a sophisticated double wishbone front suspension. The aluminum front spindles are light and stiff – forged from cast blanks using a patented production process while the rear suspension features an integral link system. This system delivers lateral and longitudinal stiffness for precise handling and a supple ride. Aluminum has been used extensively in the suspension, minimizing weight.

Offering incredible tuning possibilities and greater efficiency than traditional hydraulic systems, electric power steering (EPAS) will be standard on the XE.

Powertrain
For customers demanding ultimate performance and an exhilarating engine note from idle right up to the redline there’s the Jaguar XE S, which shares its supercharged 3.0-liter V6 with the acclaimed F-TYPE.

Direct injection and fully variable valve timing optimize power and torque throughout the rev range. The 90 degree cylinder bank angle provides space for the twin-vortex Roots-type supercharger, a balancer shaft ensures the engine runs smoothly.

Developing 340hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, the V6 provides the Jaguar XE S with exceptional performance: 0-60 mph takes just 4.9 seconds, and top speed is electronically-limited to 155 mph1.

The Jaguar XE will also receive the new family of Ingenium engines. This advanced in-house modular design began from a clean sheet and will be manufactured at the new JLR Engine Manufacturing Center near Wolverhampton in the UK.

Proven over 2 million miles of real-world testing, Ingenium is the future of the low-CO2 powertrain strategy at Jaguar and is engineered to deliver fuel efficiency, refinement and performance.

The Jaguar XE will be offered with a lighter version of the ZF 8-speed automatic used in the rest of the Jaguar range: this benchmark eight-speed transmission is controlled using the Jaguar rotary shifter and steering wheel shift paddles.

Active Safety and Driver Assistance features
The new light and stiff body structure of the Jaguar XE has been engineered to meet demanding legislative and consumer crash test requirements. Complementing the outstanding levels of protection it offers is a suite of advanced driver assistance systems designed to help and support the driver.

The Jaguar XE will be equipped with All Surface Progress Control (ASPC)2. This all-new system, developed with the input of decades of Jaguar Land Rover experience in off-road traction systems, works like a low-speed cruise control. Functioning between 2 mph and 19 mph, ASPC is designed to precisely control the brake system and powertrain to deliver optimum traction in slippery conditions.
Projecting high-contrast color images onto the windshield, the optional laser heads-up display (HUD) technology provides the driver with information such as speed and navigation instructions.

Jaguar is one of the first manufacturers in the segment to use stereo camera technology. When fitted, this sensor is the ‘eyes’ of the optional autonomous emergency braking system for the Jaguar XE, providing measurements of speed and distance of objects ahead, and can initiate full braking to avoid or mitigate a collision. The stereo camera also performs traffic sign recognition and lane departure warning functions as part of the autonomous emergency braking system package2.

The XE also offers systems such as adaptive cruise control, closing vehicle sensing, blind spot monitoring, semi-automated parallel and perpendicular parking, and reverse traffic detection2.

All-new infotainment system
The all-new Jaguar InControl® infotainment system offered on the XE provides the latest technologies to connect the car, driver and the outside world. At its heart is an eight-inch capacitive touchscreen featuring a clear, intuitive interface and fast response times3.

InControl Touch® supports Bluetooth®, audio streaming and USB connectivity. The Jaguar XE can also be fitted with an SD card-based navigation system which allows easy upgrades of map data, and voice control using plain speech gives access to any level of the system, without navigating through menus, so drivers can keep their eyes on the road3. Both systems feature a user-friendly map which can be utilized by touch and directed by pinch-to-zoom.

Smartphones are changing the way people interact with the world around them and the new Jaguar XE ensures that drivers can stay connected. Jaguar InControl Apps® allows users to seamlessly access and control smartphone apps through the vehicle’s touchscreen3. With a subscribed data plan, the Jaguar XE can also function as a Wi-Fi hotspot, enabling multiple devices to connect to the internet.

Jaguar InControl Remote® functionality allows users of iOS® and Android™ smartphones to connect to the car remotely to control car functions. These include seven-day timed pre-setting of the vehicle’s climate control system, locking or unlocking the doors, or remote starting of the engine.

The new Jaguar XE will be available with a range of Meridian™ audio systems. These superb systems are the latest product of the long-standing partnership between Jaguar and British audio experts Meridian. Unique algorithms guarantee the best possible sound reproduction and tailor the experience to the interior’s acoustics. Available systems range from 250 watt, 11-speaker systems to 825 watt, 15-speaker systems, both equipped with stereo and surround sound processors.

Detail of the Jaguar XE North American model line will be announced closer to the vehicles launch in 2016.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS*

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
Engine capacity (cc)2,995
Cylinders6
Valves per cylinder4
Bore / stroke inches (mm)3.3 / 3.5 (84.5 / 89.0)
Cylinder blockAluminum alloy
Cylinder headsAluminum alloy
Fuel injection equipment150bar spray-guided direct injection
Induction systemTwin-Vortex supercharger
TransmissionZF 8HP45 8-speed automatic
PERFORMANCE
0-60 mph (sec)4.9
0-100km/h (sec)5.1
Top speed mph (km/h)155 (250)
Horsepower340 @ 6,500rpm
Torque lb ft (Nm)332 (450) @ 4,500rpm
DIMENSIONS
Length inches (mm)183.9 (4,672)
Width excl. mirrors inches (mm)72.8 (1,850)
Height inches (mm)55.7 (1,416)
Wheelbase inches (mm)111.6 (2,835)
Curb weight lbs (kg)From 3,249 (1,474)

*Manufacturers estimated figures for UK specific models at time of going to press. Subject to final confirmation ahead of production.
1 Always follow local speed limits.
2 These features are not a substitute for driving safely with due care and attention and will not function under all circumstances, speeds, weather and road conditions, etc.  Driver should not assume that these features will correct errors of judgment in driving.  Please consult the owner’s manual or your local authorized Jaguar Retailer for more details.
3 Driving while distracted can result in loss of vehicle control. Do not operate, adjust or view the navigation or multimedia systems under conditions that will affect your safety or the safety of others. Only use mobile phones, and other devices, even with voice commands, when it is safe to do so. 

IN THE NEWS: Jaguar Heritage Unveils “New” Lightweight E-Type

 

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Jaguar has revealed the prototype of its ‘new’ Lightweight E-type – a further six of which will be built and sold.

Jaguar announced in May 2014 that it would recreate six new Lightweights, each built by Jaguar Heritage, part of Jaguar Land Rover’s new Special Operations division.

Each of the six cars will be built to a specification originated from the last Lightweight E-type produced in 1964 and will be hand-crafted at the original home of the E-type, Jaguar’s Browns Lane plant in Coventry, England. The cars will be sold as period competition vehicles and all will be suitable for FIA homologation for historic motorsport purposes.

The new cars are the ‘missing’ six vehicles from the ‘Special GT E-type’ project, which originally started in February 1963 with the objective of building 18 cars. Only 12 of the aluminium-bodied Lightweight E-types were eventually built and the remaining six designated chassis numbers having lain dormant, until now. The six new cars will carry those original, historic Lightweight E-type chassis numbers.

A race winner in the hands of a variety of famous drivers during its short competitive career, the car has achieved worldwide fame and original examples are now valued in the many millions. In recreating the Lightweight E-type, Jaguar Heritage has been able to call on the superlative skills and experience of many talented engineers and technicians already working in a variety of departments within Jaguar.

All, when offered the chance to assist with this unique project, leapt at the opportunity. Some even have an indirect link with the E-type when it was new: one master technician calculated that his family – including his grandparents, his father and his uncle – had a collective 170 years’ service at Jaguar stretching back to the early 1960s.

The expertise and attention brought to bear on this recreation project is staggering, with the full resources of Jaguar being applied to ensure that the six new Lightweights will not only be authentic, but will also be built to the highest quality standards.

So the six chosen customers will each receive the rarest of things – a brand new Lightweight E-type, hand-built at Browns Lane and just as desirable as one of the originals.

“Operating from a brand new workshop at Browns Lane – now open for the restoration and servicing of customer cars – the building of six new, meticulously crafted Lightweight E-type period competition cars by Jaguar Heritage is testament to the unique skills within the team. To know those same skills can also be utilised to the benefit of existing classic Jaguar owners means this is a very exciting time for Jaguar Heritage.”

Derek Weale, Director, Jaguar Heritage Business

The bodyshell

The core component of the Lightweight E-type is its aluminium bodyshell. This material replaced the steel of the production E-type in the quest to shed weight – some 250lb (114kg) were saved compared with the standard car.

Despite the 50-year gap, the aluminium build of the six new Lightweights gives them an immediate affinity with the current Jaguar range, the F-TYPE and XJ models being built to exacting standards with aluminium bodies for exactly the same reason. In fact, Jaguar is now the world’s leading manufacturer of aluminium-bodied cars and the company has unrivalled experience in the relatively new field of applying aluminium technology to volume production cars.

So when tasked with the job of recreating the Lightweight E-type’s aluminium body, today’s Jaguar engineers could relate at once to what their predecessors had achieved 50 years before. However, despite the enormous advances in technology since the early 1960s, the decision was taken not to incorporate modern materials or fixing methods. While high-strength aluminium alloys and bonded structures would have been invisible, they would not have been true to the original design – and nor would they have conformed to the FIA’s homologation requirements for historic racing.

Instead, today’s advanced technology was deployed to ensure the highest quality and most faithful rendition of the Lightweight E-type’s open two-seater body components. Using state-of-the-art scanning technology, the inner and outer surfaces of a Lightweight bodyshell were digitally mapped.

The resulting massively detailed scan, which recorded dimensions and shape down to a fraction of a millimetre, was then assessed by Jaguar’s technicians to validate how the body was assembled back in the 1960s, how consistent the structure was side-to-side, and how it could be engineered today to produce the highest quality result for the Lightweight E-type project.

As this digital capturing process gave Jaguar’s engineers complete control over the Lightweight E-type body’s 230 individual components, their shapes could then be optimised before the data was sent to the tool room at Jaguar’s Whitley engineering centre. Even panels which are unseen within the structure have been faithfully reproduced. To ensure absolute symmetry, one side of the scanned body was used as the datum, this being ‘flipped’ to produce an identical condition on the opposite side.

Additionally, before being signed-off, the outer ‘A-surface’ CAD scan was transferred to Jaguar’s design department where the surface geometry was finalised. All this work ensured that the tooling from which the majority of the new body parts are produced is as accurate as possible.

Approximately 75 per cent of the panels are made in-house at Whitley, just a few very large pressings being supplied by external specialists using Jaguar-designed tooling. The grades of aluminium used for both the under-structure and surface panels are almost identical in mechanical properties to those used for the original 1963 Lightweight E-types. The body is completed to original Lightweight E-type Chassis no. 12 condition, by which time Jaguar had added some additional strengthening in key areas of the shell. The aluminium body is then completed by the addition of an aluminium bonnet, doors and trunk lid. As with the original cars, an aluminium hard top is standard.

The development of the body-in-white tooling was undertaken by the same department that builds all Jaguar Land Rover prototype vehicles, so the expertise applied to the project was world-class. The build process and assembly procedures were initially proved out on Car Zero; this is effectively an engineering prototype and will not carry one of the six Lightweight chassis numbers.

For the Lightweight E-type project, Jaguar’s engineers created a ‘grey book’ of the type used during the development of new production Jaguars. This internal document sets out the required quality standards in terms of bodyshell fit-and-finish and ensures a consistency of build quality for all six new Lightweight E-types.

A roll-over cage is fitted as standard, and the body includes mounting points for a detachable front extension which is available as an extra. The cars are built in a form suitable for FIA homologation for historic motorsport purposes (see full specification).

The engine and drivetrain

The Lightweight E-type was powered by a highly developed version of Jaguar’s straight-six XK engine which, with its chain-driven twin overhead camshafts and aluminium head with hemispherical combustion chambers, remained highly advanced in 1963 even though it had first been seen in the XK 120 as far back as 1948.

It was this engine that had powered the C- and D-types to five Le Mans victories in the 1950s, and the unit developed for the Lightweight E-type is based on the 3,868cc (236 cu in) engine which, in the D-type, had won Le Mans in 1957. A similar big valve ‘wide angle’ cylinder head is used, but in place of the D-type’s cast iron block, Jaguar introduced an aluminium block for the Lightweight E-type which substantially reduced the amount of weight over the front wheels. This also features in the present-day car, with pressed-in steel liners.

Another major feature transferred from the D-type is the dry sump lubrication system. This uses a scavenge pump to collect oil from the sump and return it to a separate oil tank in the underbonnet area. This eliminates oil surge during fast cornering and consequent risk of damage to the engine’s bearings, and also allows a greater quantity of oil to be carried.

The compression ratio is 10:1 and today’s car is supplied with three 45DCO3 Weber carburettors. These were homologated by Jaguar for the Lightweight E-type in addition to a Lucas mechanical fuel injection system – which is being offered to customers as a cost-option (and which is fitted to Car Zero). The exhaust manifold is a steel fabrication and leads the exhaust gasses into twin pipes which take them through a centre silencer box to the rear of the car, where the exhaust system ends in twin polished tail pipes.

Whether carburettors or fuel injection is specified, brake horsepower is well over 300, and with torque in the region of 280lb ft at 4500 rpm, the car is endowed with rapid acceleration from comparatively low engine revs – a traditional feature of Jaguar racing engines.

A 12 volt negative earth electrical system is used, and the engine benefits from a modern inertia-type starter motor. The water and oil radiators are in aluminium alloy, there is an aluminium expansion tank for the coolant, and the fuel tank is mesh-filled for safety.

The power is transferred to the road via a lightweight, low inertia flywheel, a single-plate clutch and a Jaguar close-ratio, manual four-speed all-synchromesh gearbox as used by the Lightweight E-type in period. A variety of final drive ratios are available, all with the Powr-Lok limited-slip differential, but a 3.31:1 ratio is supplied as standard.

Suspension, steering and brakes

The twin wishbone front suspension and independent wide-based wishbone rear suspension (where the drive-shaft serves as the upper link) are set-up according to period racing practice, with uprated shock absorbers controlling the torsion bar springs (front) and the four coil springs (rear).

The steering is the excellent standard E-type rack-and-pinion, with a traditional wood-rim wheel for the driver. Larger (12.25in) brake discs are fitted at the front, with the rear brakes being standard E-type. No servo is fitted.

The 15in diameter wheels are period type in the correct ‘perforated’ style, and like the originals are cast in magnesium alloy. Rim width is 7in front, 8in rear. Dunlop racing tyres are fitted, 6.00 section front, 6.50 section rear, both in CR65 compound.

Final assembly

The monocoque bodyshell is built at Whitley where it is mated to its tubular engine sub-frame – which is stiffened with gussets as for the original Lightweight – and then shipped to Jaguar’s Gaydon facility for painting. From there it is then taken to Jaguar Heritage at Browns Lane where the car is built up with powertrain, suspension, brakes, steering, electrical items, instrument panel and soft trim.

This process takes place in a dedicated area close to where the original Lightweight E-types were assembled in 1963/64, and the work is undertaken by highly skilled technicians used to assembling extremely complex JLR prototypes.

It is at this stage that personal consultation with the customer dictates the final specification for each individual car – no two of which are expected to be identical.

Car Zero underwent a 15-day shake-down period at Jaguar Land Rover’s test facility at Gaydon to prove out the car’s dynamics and establish optimum suspension settings. This involved Mike Cross, Jaguar’s Chief Engineer, Vehicle Integrity. Jaguar’s engineers even established a ‘design verification plan’ for the car, just as they would do for an entirely new model. Each of the six new Lightweights will go through shake-down tests to ensure that they meet the required standards in terms of braking, handling and steering.

“In our contemporary Jaguar sports cars our aim is always to achieve an immediacy of response to all driver inputs – and the goal with Lightweight E-type was the same. For me, its response to steering, brake and throttle inputs – along with the terrific noise it creates – is what makes it such an engaging machine from the driver’s seat.”

Mike Cross, Chief Engineer, Vehicle IntegrityJaguar

Design

Jaguar’s Advanced Design Studio has been involved in the project from an early stage, charged with arriving at the appropriate level of trim for the new car, together with selecting the materials used and the nature and colour of finishes.

“With the Lightweight E-type, our focus as a design team has been to ensure justice was done to the original work of Sir William Lyons and Malcolm Sayer. Meticulous attention to detail has been everything to us in re-creating this car, just as it is in our contemporary Jaguars. I believe the result is a new Lightweight E-type that is as stunning now as the originals would have been when they were new.”

Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar

Connolly leather is used, supplied by Jonathan Connolly with hides produced to the same specification as those used by Jaguar in the 1960s. This leather is used to trim the competition-type aluminium bucket seat base. The centre console covering is also leather, and there is a choice of seven trim colours.

As befits a thoroughbred GT car where weight saving in all areas is demanded, interior trim is minimal. However, the customer can opt for a more fully-trimmed car and the Jaguar team can devise bespoke trim packages. This may include door cards, headliner for the hardtop, removable custom saddle-leather floor mats, and a cover for the transmission tunnel.

Much of Car Zero’s interior – floorpan, sills, rear areas – have intentionally been left unpainted, to emphasise the car’s aluminium bodywork.

The studio has also selected a palette of six ‘heritage’ paint colours recommended for the exterior: Carmine red, opalescent grey metallic, silver metallic, opalescent blue metallic, British racing green, Old English white. However, various colour and trim alternatives are available, as each car is built to the personal specification of each individual customer, who can discuss options with Jaguar’s Director of Design, Ian Callum, in person.

In celebration of the new Lightweight E-types, Jaguar has also furthered its relationship with the Bremont Watch Company. Bremont will create six bespoke ‘E-type’ watches, each of which will be offered to customers of the six new Lightweight E-types.

IN THE NEWS: Jaguar F-Type Project 7 to Debut at Le Mans Classic

JAGUAR_PROJECT7_27

F-TYPE Project 7 – the most powerful and fastest production Jaguar to date – will make its dynamic debut in front of packed crowds during this weekend’s Le Mans Classic race meeting from 4-6 July.

Following its unveiling at Goodwood’s Festival of Speed – where customer interest far exceeded the intended production run of a maximum of 250 units – F-TYPE Project 7 will complete demonstration laps throughout the Le Mans Classic weekend.

In celebration of the Jaguar D-type’s 60th anniversary – a car which won at le Mans three times and which inspired Project 7’s genesis – F-TYPE Project 7 will complete its demonstration laps alongside the very first D-type ever built, and with examples of the all-new F-TYPE R Coupé.

With racing over the weekend split into six grids – each celebrating an era of Le Mans’ history – the F-TYPE Project 7 demonstration laps will take place ahead of qualifying and race sessions for Grid 2. Spanning 1949-1956, this grid will include two Jaguar-entered D-types; drivers are 1988 Jaguar Le Mans winner, Andy Wallace, who will share with Richard Meaden, with Gary Pearson and Chris Harris also in action.

F-TYPE Project 7 is a fully road-legal two-seater roadster, which will be built by Jaguar Land Rover’s newly established Special Operations division. Of all aluminium construction and with bespoke carbon-fibre aerodynamic aids, a unique suspension tune, 80kg weight reduction and 575PS power output, F-TYPE Project 7 will deliver a truly focused driving experience. Carbon Ceramic brakes, Torque Vectoring by Braking and race-inspired seats are all standard features.

For the full F-TYPE Project 7 press release, technical details and images click here
To view and share the F-TYPE Project 7 launch film click here

2014 JAGUAR F-TYPE PROJECT 7: TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION*

*All figures are manufacturer’s estimates and subject to final confirmation ahead of production

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
Engine capacity (cc)5000
Cylinders8
Valves per cylinder4
Compression ratio9.5:1
Bore/stroke (mm)92.5/93.0
Bore/stroke (inches)3.64/3.66
Transmission8-speed ‘Quickshift’
PERFORMANCE
0-60mph (sec)3.8
0-100km/h (sec)3.9
Top speed (mph)186, electronically limited
Top speed (km/h)300, electronically limited
Power (PS@rpm)575@6500
Power (kW@rpm)423@6500
Torque (lb ft@rpm)502@2500-5500
Torque (Nm@rpm)680@2500-5500
Wheels20-inch ‘Storm’ alloy,
in gloss black
Tyres – size255/35/20 (front)

295/30/20 (rear)

Tyres – make

Standard:

Optional:

Pirelli P Zero

Continental ForceContact

DIMENSIONS
Length (mm)4519
Length (in)178
Width excl (mm)1923
Width excl (in)75.7
Height (mm, without roof)1277
Height (in, without roof)50.3
Wheelbase (mm)2622
Wheelbase (in)103.2
Fuel tank capacity (litres)72
Fuel tank capacity (gallons)15.8
Weight (kg)1585
Weight (lbs)3495

ON THE HILL: Jaguar F-Type R Coupé and XFR-S Shooting Brake to Debut at Goodwood

Jaguar_F-Type_Coupé_R-002

(Whitley, Coventry – 20 June 2014). Long-term supporter of the annual Goodwood Festival of Speed, Jaguar, will be making some noise at next week’s event from 26-29 June with an exceptional line-up of its cars, both old and new.

Visitors to the Jaguar stand at the spectacular automotive show will be delighted to see the first new product from Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations – the new division of Jaguar Land Rover responsible for a range of special product and service programmes for Jaguar and Land Rover customers.

Chiming perfectly with Goodwood’s 2014 Festival theme of ‘Addicting to Winning’, Jaguar will have an extensive selection of its past, present and near-future models at the event, including victorious examples of the racing D-type, XJS TWR and XJR-9 tackling the famous 1.16-mile hillclimb.

Two of the Jaguar Heritage Trust’s significant D-types will be in action as this legendary Jaguar marks its 60thanniversary.  The original 1954 D-type prototype will be demonstrated, as will the later 1956 ‘Long Nose’ model, to be driven by ex-Grand Prix racer Bruno Senna. Bruno recently covered over 1,000 miles in this car at the 2014 Mille Miglia, with co-driver and fellow Formula 1 star, Martin Brundle.

Other Jaguar Heritage competition racers in action at Goodwood will include the iconic ‘Group 44’ E-type, the Group-A XJS TWR and the 1988 Le Mans-winning XJR-9 LM, the latter being reunited with one of its victorious team drivers; Andy Wallace.

Away from the competition cars, examples of Jaguar’s new production F-TYPE R Coupé and XFR-S Sportbrake will be publically seen in action at the Festival, with both set for high speed drives up the famous Goodwood Hill.

 

IN DESIGN: Jaguar Partners with Team Sky and Pinarello to Engineer Tour de France Racing Bike

Jag_Pinarello_DogmaF8_Image_280514_02

(Gaydon, May 28, 2014) Jaguar has deepened its partnership with Team Sky, one of the world’s leading professional road cycling teams, and built a new relationship with Pinarello, the highly regarded Italian bike manufacturer, by helping them develop the team’s latest race bike.

The car maker, renowned for some of the world’s finest luxury saloons and sports cars, has used its advanced aerodynamic knowledge and facilities to help in the creation of the new Pinarello Dogma F8 bicycle, to be raced by Team Sky during the remainder of the 2014 season.

This is the first time Jaguar’s comprehensive technical capability has been used by the team, and marks the beginning of a new collaborative relationship between Jaguar, Team Sky and its family of partners and suppliers, including legendary frame manufacturer Pinarello. Jaguar is now an official ‘innovation partner’ with Team Sky.

The Dogma F8’s first race will be the Critérium du Dauphiné, which starts on June 8. Its major test this year will be on the Tour de France, which starts in Leeds on July 5. Team Sky and Chris Froome are the defending champions. Team Sky also won in 2012, with Sir Bradley Wiggins. Sir Dave Brailsford, Team Principal of Team Sky, fresh from overseeing Sir Wiggins’ victory in the Tour of California, says access to Jaguar Land Rover’s technical resources would help Team Sky to be even more competitive in future. Jaguar’s role was to help give Pinarello’s top-end bicycle frame even better aerodynamic performance. Working to fixed ‘hard points’ – such as wheelbase and geometry determined by Pinarello’s designers – Jaguar’s engineers developed the frame to improve the aerodynamics of the tube profiles, and reduced the drag of components mounted to the frame. More than 300 CFD ‘virtual’ runs were done between October and January, using the same methods to optimise the aerodynamics of new Jaguar Land Rover road cars. The drag of every single component was measured, and single modifications could be analysed and compared. Wind tunnel work was then used to verify the CFD tests.

Aero-led changes include aerofoil-shaped tubing optimised within UCI regulations, and a new aero seat post. The Dogma F8’s front forks have been developed to minimise drag and ensure seamless airflow on to the down tube. The rear derailleur wire/cable exits the frame at the back of the drop out, again to reduce turbulence. Three holes on the seat tube allow for a lower position for a second drink bottle, to further reduce drag.

In certain areas, Jaguar accentuated the famous asymmetric design of the Dogma 65.1 to improve aerodynamic performance. The seat mono stay around the rear brake is now asymmetric to guide airflow cleanly around the brake calliper, while using the minimal amount of material. The upper section of the rear chain stay is also heavily asymmetric.

The wind tunnel tests show the new Dogma F8 is 26.1 per cent more aerodynamic (complete bike) than the outgoing Dogma 65.1 and 6.4 per cent more aerodynamic including a rider. The frame set alone is 40% more aerodynamic ally efficient. Pinarello’s priorities, for the new Dogma F8, were to maintain handling, reduce weight, and improve the stiffness and aerodynamics. Handling had to be at least as good as the acclaimed Dogma 65.1. Weight should be reduced (it was – by just over nine per cent) and stiffness further improved (achieved partly thanks to an even better grade of Torayca T11001K carbon fibre from supplier Toray). Aerodynamics had the potential for significant improvement.

Pinarello CEO Fausto Pinarello insisted the new Dogma F8 must have the legendary Pinarello DNA including the best possible performance. He is confident the new Dogma F8, flagship of the Pinarello range, is the fastest frame Pinarello has ever designed.

The difference was obvious when I first rode the Dogma F8. It is obviously lighter and feels more rigid, so that all the power from your legs is transferred to the road without any flex or movement. This is a bike on which I know I can win another Tour de France. I am going to be doing everything possible to make that happen. – Chris Froome,  2013 Tour de France Champion

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