We drove at speeds of more than 209 kph using the unit of production Jaguar F-Type Project 7 on the main straight track Navara short c...
We drove at speeds of more than 209 kph using the unit of production Jaguar F-Type Project 7 on the main straight track Navara short circuit close to Pamplona, Spain. I'm not too sure how much speed because within seconds was already waiting round the corner to the right-threatening, and this is not the right time to pay attention to the speedometer.
Gust of wind feels on top of my head, but the flow of air around my head feels strangely more friendly. On the other hand, passenger I'm ducking stool because of him that feels like tornado winds. We are also aware of the difference is determined only from the comfort of one object, namely a stylish aerodynamic hump D-type that is in my head that serves to deliver water to flow more smoothly.
In a state that was not exactly like this, I suddenly remembered the words of the leader of the Special Vehicle Operations, Paul Newsome, who delivered an hour earlier. "Project 7 is an option that is a little selfish," he said. Yes it was proof.
The idea of Jaguar to turn the concept car style short-screen speedster into a production car at Goodwood two years ago as a form of celebration of victory seven Jaguar in Le Mans and the achievement of the racing team Ecurie Ecosse to make it happen, and shows how far the model F-Type can enhanced to produce something more powerful. The original version of the concept car a true single seater, but from an idea proved successful so the company decided to build a more practical version with two seats in a limited edition of 250 units.
This model was exhibited at the Goodwood and Peeble Beach last year, with the number of cars sold and each valued US $ 202 884 and shortly thereafter successfully sold out. A total of 80 units delivered to buyers in the UK and 50 for the consumers of the country of Germany. Everyone loved the combination of a compact screen, a new front bumper, aerodynamic support (carbon fiber splitter, side skirts like a blade, rear diffuser and rear wing mounted on the deck) and a line on the nose, as well as the circle of racing numbers available.
Last week we tried the unit production version for the first time, along with Newsome that explains the ins and outs of this car. "Because the car is started from the concept," he said, "looks will always be the main clue of his behavior on the highway."
Many people who order when the car was not built, and quite clear that they see it as a low-mileage car, which usually is in the order of 5 to 25 in their collection. Chances are they using it for a short trip on Sundays or special trips such as the annual tour towards Le Mans. This car will never be the daily vehicle; and the Jaguar give an estimate most will only drive as far as from 3000 to 5000 km per year.
This is Jaguar's most powerful to the road, built by hand directly in the division Special Vehicle Operations and has been bombarded with the latest technology: Quickshit 8-speed, electronic differential, carbon-ceramic brakes, adaptive dampers with special tuning and setting special for engine management and control the stability of the chassis. Project 7 also has springs and anti-roll bars are unique, feature the most prominent of the use of springs in the front is the stiffness of up to 80% in order to cope with the potential energy generated from braking and hold the load when turning at high speeds using standard tires Continental Force berkompon software. The engineers also moved the Sport suspension settings and standards further, to provide the best choice for use near or far distances.
"It is still a street car," said Newsome, "but quite capable on the track." The word 'reasonably capable' turns translates into lap time at the Nurburgring and managed to record 7 minutes 35 seconds, which is four seconds faster than Jaguar holders the previous record, the F-Type R Coupe.
Project 7 originally appeared as an open roof car V8 engine, with a capacity of 5.0 liter supercharged modified to produce 567 bhp (25 bhp more than the F-Type R Coupe) coupled with 700 Nm of torque (20 Nm greater). Proportionally, this is not a large increase, but power and torque channeled through a unique mapping of the throttle that lets you feel the extra energy in the range of 2,500 rpm.
Add these results with a weight reduction of 45 kg (hood concise save up to 35 kg and seat racing shell-bearing carbon fiber) and you will get the best straight line acceleration of the F-Type: 0-100 kph in 3.8 seconds. Its top speed is electronically limited to 300 kph in numbers, like the other models of the F-Type. With the exhaust butterfly valve open (there is a control lever for it), the car will produce a growling sound very 'grumpy' and then transformed into a magnificent hoarseness overrun when the gear shift. This is what then makes you want to reduce the speed.
The ultimate goal as recognized by Newsome is to re-balance the suspension and aerodynamics to work at high speed. "In a powerful car and a short wheelbase are like this car, especially if it has a limited-slip differential and the front more rigid, you will be dealing with two effects: the tendency of too much understeer when cornering and loss of traction on the rear tires inside," he explained. "We added negative camber angle of the front of 0.5 to 1.5 degrees, to improve the ability of the front tires, and we use a torque vectoring at the rear - rear wheel differential hatch - so the car can be easily turned. It is surprising to know how much swings you get with a relatively small braking, although the real challenge is to make that a more natural feel. "
The SVO engineers also have to balance and improve aerodynamic bias compressive force on the rear by placing side skirts and a big front splitter, while slightly reducing effectiveness (and drag) on the wing in the trunk. "You will feel this car is more agile than the other F-Type," Newsome said just before we left the pits. "The modifications we did most clearly felt on the track."
Currently the event, we were driving fast on the streets of the Spanish countryside or in the circuit. Indeed, this car offers the grip and the ability to devour a large excess bend in the road.
You can feel the extra rigidity to the front when driving the first 100 meters, and with very minimal body roll is generated. We could not find bumpy road surfaces such as those in the UK, but the possibility of Project 7 will feel very uncomfortable when having to go through the streets like that. Of course since this is not a limousine.
On the positive side, the initial attraction powerful and good deceleration from high speeds is always ready to be offered by this car. Steering feels more solid and perhaps a few percent more communicative than usual F-Type especially when the car turned, and the gear shift is very fast even when you let the automatic transmission ZF 8-speed that has been tuned specifically to the auto position. In essence: no change in Project 7, which threatens the driving pleasure typical of the F-Type.
In the circuit, Project 7 is very fast and accurate - fast enough to be able to distinguish the drivers who are capable among us, because the speed is high enough in the middle of the corner. Power is plentiful in the middle rounds, allowing you to pick up speed in the straights are short, with the belief that the carbon-ceramic brakes to reduce the speed of the brief. As promised by Newsome surprise given by this car is stability and grip are great when running more than 200 kph and then braking to enter the bend at a speed of 80 kph, followed by a remarkable ability for a big car, turned quickly and cleanly right on the limit of his ability.
It is all the greatness of Project 7. Agility has been promised extra, extra agility was delivered and more improvement is required driver's ability to conquer it.
Price ranges
Ex-showroom price of US $ 202,884
Machine
Installation V8, 5000 cc, supercharger, petrol
Power 567 hp @ 6,500 rpm
Torque 700 Nm @ 3,500 rpm
Transmission
Type Automatic 8-speed
Dimension
1,620 kg Luggage volume
Fuel consumption
City 9.24 kpl (combined)