2013 Jaguar Project 7
2013 Jaguar Project 7
when jaguar promised to bring a design study of the F-Type to the Goodwood Festival of Speed , few people had any inkling that the British automaker was talking about this car.
This is the Project 7, a fully-functional, high-performance sports car (translation: it’s not a concept) that highlights the automaker’s new F-Type roadster while also paying homage to its winning tradition at Le Mans that saw the automaker take home the title seven times between 1951-1990 - a record for a British manufacturer.
roadster while also paying homage to its winning tradition at Le Mans that saw the automaker take home the title seven times between 1951-1990 - a record for a British manufacturer.
Notice that the blue paintwork of the Project 7 looks like a classic shade turned up for a modern purpose. That’s not an accident because this same color is reminiscent of the victorious Jaguar D-types of 1956/1957. Pretty interesting historical fact, huh?
D-types of 1956/1957. Pretty interesting historical fact, huh?
And like we’ve already mentioned, the basis for the Project 7 is the F-Type, particularly the latter’s rigid all-aluminum architecture, providing the perfect starting point for Jaguar to add some tweaks and modifications and giving birth to quite a stunning sports car.
Updated 10/03/2013: Jaguar unveiled a new video featuring Ian Callum which explains the design process behind the new Project 7. Enjoy!
Exterior
The moment we saw the Jaguar Project 7, the immediate thought in our heads was how this concept looks straight out of the Speed Racer cartoon. It’s overall shape does look the part of a bona fide racer and while design cues of the F-Type are clearly visible in the racer’s design, Jaguar made enough tweaks to the overall look to differentiate the Project 7 from its donor.
One of the most noticeable differences is the huge fairing just behind the driver’s head, as indicative a sign that Jaguar’s development of the concept came with homage to the tradition of the bygone racers of yesteryear.
The Project 7 also has a restyled front bumper with larger intakes on either side of the grille. There’s also a new front splitter that we looks to have been added to for improved
aerodynamic purposes. The windshield looks to have been lowered too, clearing higher wind disturbance to improve the sports car’s performance credentials. From there, side skirts and aluminum wing mirrors were also added, the latter made from carbon fiber and inspired by another Jaguar concept: the 2011 C-X16 . Another unique addition is the fixed rear spoiler, designed to have a 14-degree angle of attack, thus giving the sports car a low, unified, muscular stance.
. Another unique addition is the fixed rear spoiler, designed to have a 14-degree angle of attack, thus giving the sports car a low, unified, muscular stance.
Oh, and don’t forget the prevalent round ’7’ badges on the hood, sidesand boot of the Project 7. Just so people don’t forget what this Jaguar racer really stands for.
Interior
As a sports roadster /racer, there’s not enough interior space to make you worry about any space issues. Jaguar doesn’t even bother emphasizing how much space the Project 7 has in its cabin. It even took one seat away in favor of using it as a helmet holder. Can you guess what this car’s built for?
/racer, there’s not enough interior space to make you worry about any space issues. Jaguar doesn’t even bother emphasizing how much space the Project 7 has in its cabin. It even took one seat away in favor of using it as a helmet holder. Can you guess what this car’s built for?
Instead, it treated the cabin to the full-on racing experience, adding only a single composite seat finished in a quilted racing-style diamond pattern with its own four-point racing harness. There are also loads of carbon-fiber inserts on the console and SportShift lever; the start-stop button was finished in gloss black, while the steering wheel is equipped with machined-aluminum paddles. There’s a helmet holder and a custom trim, though, just in case you’re feeling the cabin is a little too bare for your liking.
Performance
The Jaguar Project 7 is powered by a 5.0-liter V-8 engine that produces 550 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 502 pound-feet of torque from 2,500 to 5,000 rpm while mated to an eight-speed ’Quickshift’ transmission. The full blown performance credentials of the Project 7 allows it to hit 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds to go with an electronically limited top speed of 186 mph.
Drivetrain 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 ’Quickshift’ |
Performance Specifications:
| 0-60mph (sec) | 4.1 |
| 0-100km/h (sec) | 4.2 |
| 50-75mph (sec) | 2.4 |
| 80-120km/h (sec) | 2.4 |
| Top speed - electronically limited (mph) | 186 |
| Top speed - electronically limited (km/h) | 300 |
| Power (PS@rpm) | 550@6500 |
| Power (kW@rpm) | 405@6500 |
| Torque (lb ft@rpm) | 502@2500-5500 |
| Torque (Nm@rpm) | 680@2500-5500 |
| Wheels | 20-inch Blade forged-alloy |
| Tires | Pirelli P Zero 255/30/20 (front) / 295/30/20 (rear) |
Pricing
While Jaguar did say that the Project 7 is a "not a static concept, but a fully-functional, high-performance sports car", any thought of actually buying one of these babies is still a little premature. The automaker has given no indication that the car will go on sale in the future.
Competition
2015 Aston Martin V12 Roadster
The Aston Martin Vantage is the smallest car in the current Aston range and it was created to be a more entertaining sports car with a cheaper price point when compared to the GT cars like the DB9 . The car was lauded for its looks and handling abilities, but many felt the standard V-8 lacked the proper grunt for a car like this. Aston Martin rose to the challenge and created the V12 Vantage by cramming the 12-cyliiunder engine from the DB9 into the engine bay of the smaller car. Just last year, Aston turned up the wick even farther with a faster, lighter, and more exciting V12 Vantage S model. The big issue with the V12 Vantage S is that is only available in hardtop form, not the seductive roadster. Until now, anyways.
is the smallest car in the current Aston range and it was created to be a more entertaining sports car with a cheaper price point when compared to the GT cars like the DB9 . The car was lauded for its looks and handling abilities, but many felt the standard V-8 lacked the proper grunt for a car like this. Aston Martin rose to the challenge and created the V12 Vantage by cramming the 12-cyliiunder engine from the DB9 into the engine bay of the smaller car. Just last year, Aston turned up the wick even farther with a faster, lighter, and more exciting V12 Vantage S model. The big issue with the V12 Vantage S is that is only available in hardtop form, not the seductive roadster. Until now, anyways.
That’s right, Aston has just announced a drop-top version of the V12 Vantage S, and it is as amazing as it sounds.
Functionally the new V12 Vantage S Roadster is identical to its hard-top sibling. That means powerful V-12 engine, reduced weight, increased torque, and a top speed of more than 200 mph
Conclusion
Everything about the Jaguar Project 7 speaks to our desire to get behind the wheel and take it out for a spin. That’s a pipe dream, though, so we’re not going to get our hopes up. But if it did somehow find its way into production, the Project 7’s unique balance of character, history, and downright awesomeness will sell it out faster than you can say "Speed Racer!"
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