Jaguar is hoping to burnish the new F-Type’s performance credentials by linking it to the heritage of its iconic D-Type racers that saw so much success on the track in the mid 1950s.
Dubbed Project 7 in a nod to Jaguar’s 7 wins at Le Mans, the mission of this one-off design study is clear, “Project 7 is a single-seat sports car based on the F-Type, with the kind of racing-inspired form that designers dream about. It has one purpose: to be driven fast and enjoyed.” said Ian Callum, Director of Design for Jaguar.
Featuring a supercharged 5.0-liter V8, the Project 7 elevates the F-Type’s output to 550 HP with a top speed of 186 miles per hour. It’s a single-seat, open roadster with its most prominent design feature being the D-Type inspired rear deck lid that incorporates the roll-over bar in the fairing.
Project 7 will make its debut on the track this weekend at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, home to many of Jaguar’s past glories.
Official Press Release:
At-a-glance
– Project 7 was created by the team led by Jaguar Director of Design Ian Callum as a one-off design study based on the new 2014 Jaguar F-TYPE
– Jaguar Project 7 will make a dynamic debut at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed
– Project 7 is an all-aluminum bodied roadster featuring a Jaguar D-Type inspired fairing, bespoke carbon-fiber aerodynamic components, and a single-seat cockpit
– Powered by a 5-liter supercharged Jaguar V8 engine with 550hp, Project 7 will reach 60mph in 4.1 seconds and attain a top speed of 186mph
– Project 7 will be driven at Goodwood by Mike Cross, Chief Engineer, Vehicle Integrity, Jaguar
(MAHWAH, N.J.) – July 9, 2013- The Jaguar Project 7 concept will make a dynamic debut at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 12. This concept vehicle is based on the 2014 Jaguar F-TYPE, an all-new, two-seat convertible sports car and winner of the 2013 ‘World Car Design of the Year’ award.
“Project 7 is a single-seat sports car based on the F-TYPE, with the kind of racing-inspired form that designers dream about. It has one purpose: to be driven fast and enjoyed.Jaguar sports cars are known for exceptional performance and clean design. Project 7 captures that spirit in its purest form.”
– Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar
Project 7’s name acknowledges Jaguar’s winning of Le Mans seven times between 1951-1990, and its blue paintwork is reminiscent of the victorious Jaguar D-type cars of 1956/1957.
“The overriding dynamic aim when developing the F-TYPE was ensuring connected feel; it’s a true, driver-focused sports car; agile, immediate, fast and, of course, fun. Having achieved that for the road, Project 7 has given us a unique opportunity to go that little bit further. It’s visceral in every sense – its response, its sound and its sheer performance. I’m very much looking forward to driving it at Goodwood.”
– Mike Cross, Chief Engineer, Vehicle Integrity, Jaguar
Project 7 is not a static concept, but a fully-functional, high-performance sports car. The F-TYPE’s rigid all-aluminum architecture provides the perfect starting point, with power supplied by a 550hp supercharged 5-liter Jaguar V8 engine. This power is delivered to the rear wheels through an eight-speed ZF transmission with “Quickshift” technology, and an active electronically controlled limited slip differential. Project 7 also features a free-flow exhaust system with a ceramic finish, 10mm lower ride height and a custom-calibrated spring/damper tune.
“Jaguar’s sporting bloodline and innovative ambition are perfectly embodied by Project 7, both through its sensual design, and its shattering performance. Project 7’s Goodwood debut will provide a great stage to showcase the creativity of our design and engineering teams.”
– Adrian Hallmark, Global Brand Director, Jaguar
Project 7: A story of passion
Under Director of Design, Ian Callum, who constantly challenges his team to push the boundaries of design, Project 7 went from being an experimental sketch by Jaguar designer Cesar Pieri to the track in just four months.
Bringing to bear his love for cars and motorsport, his passion for Jaguar’s heritage, and his familiarity with the F-TYPE, Pieri drew a single-seat sports car with a swooping profile, cut-down windscreen and race-inspired livery.
“When I saw this sketch of a low-screen, single-seat F-TYPE, I felt enthused by it and wanted to take it further. As designers, our very purpose is to disrupt – to turn the norm on its head and see if it still works – and here at Jaguar, we love to push the boundaries. As a team our challenge was to take this gem of an idea, work within the limitations of production feasibility, and create something worthwhile. So I encouraged Cesar and Alister Whelan, Chief Designer, Jaguar, to take it to the next stage and develop a workable concept, and with the support of key departments across the business, Project 7 was born.”
– Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar
Following digital modeling, a clay model of Project 7 was produced. With that signed off, the Jaguar engineering team worked closely with the design team to ensure that the build stayed true to the concept.
The F-TYPE’s two key design ‘heartlines’ remain. The most prominent change is the new D-T ype-inspired rear fairing section that incorporates a rollover hoop and swoops down from behind the driver. The convertible top system has been deleted.
Aerodynamic modifications include a carbon-fiber front air splitter, side skirts, large rear diffuser and a fixed rear spoiler with a 14-degree angle of attack, giving Project 7 a low muscular stance. The side louvers and bonnet vents are also carbon-fiber, while the carbon-fiber and aluminum mirrors draw inspiration from those on Jaguar’s C-X16 sports car concept, which inspired the F-TYPE.
The windshield has been lowered, while a new front fascia design incorporates revised air intakes and headlights with gloss black surrounds. The car sits on 20-inch forged-alloy wheels with carbon-fiber inserts.
The cockpit of Project 7 is no less impressive than its exterior. The driver sits in a composite bucket seat, which is 1.2 inches lower than the stock seat, and is gripped by a four-point racing harness. The passenger seat is replaced by a custom fabricated helmet holder, which carries a custom-designed Project 7 helmet in matching blue paint and graphics, secured by its own harness.
The seat and the insides of the doors are finished in a quilted racing-style diamond pattern. There are carbon-fiber inserts on the console and shift lever, and the steering wheel is equipped with machined aluminum paddles.
“When you look at this car, it has got an enormous amount of appeal. It’s just full of desire – you can see that its sole purpose is to be enjoyed. Project 7 is a very special car – not just because it’s a one-off, but because of its purity of purpose. It’s pure Jaguar.”
– Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar
###
JAGUAR PROJECT 7: TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS*
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
Engine Capacity (cc): 5000
Cylinders: 8
Valves per cylinder: 4
Compression ratio: 9.5:1
Bore/stroke (mm): 92.5/93.0
Bore/stroke (inches): 3.64/3.66
Transmission: Eight-speed ZF transmission with ‘Quickshift’ technology
PERFORMANCE
0-60mph (sec): 4.1
50-75mph (sec): 2.4
Top speed: 186 MPH (electronically limited)
Power (HP@rpm): 550 @ 6500
Torque (lb ft@rpm): 502 @ 2500-5500
Wheels: 20-inch “Blade” forged-alloy
Tires: Pirelli P Zero 255/30/20 (front) / 295/30/20 (rear)
*ALL FIGURES ARE MANUFACTURER’S ESTIMATES
– Project 7 will be in action on the hill over all three days of the Goodwood Festival of Speed: Friday, July 12, 2013 through Sunday July 14, 2013
– Other Jaguar models in action on the hill include: XJR, XFR-S and XKR-S GT
– Jaguar has won Le Mans seven times:
1951: C-Type: Peter Walker, Peter Whitehead
1953: C-Type: Tony Rolt, Duncan Hamilton
1955: D-Type: Mike Hawthorn, Ivor Bueb
1956: D-Type: Ron Flockhart, Ninian Sanderson
1957: D-Type: Ron Flockhart, Ivor Bueb
1988: XJR-9LM: Jan Lammers, Johnny Dumfries, Andy Wallace
1990: XJR-12: John Nielsen, Price Cobb, Martin Brundle