Automotive

Jaguar to debut Lightweight E-type prototype and US-Spec F-Type Project 7

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The Jaguar F-Type Project 7 made its dynamic debut at the Le Mans Classic in July, driving alongside the D-type that influenced its design
The Range Rover Sport SVR recently lapped Nürburgring in 8 minutes 14 seconds
The Range Rover Sport SVR will make a debut at next week's Concours d'Elegance
Lightweight E-type photo from Jaguar's archives
The Lightweight E-type was/is just what its name implies: a lighter version of the iconic sports car
Lightweight E-type photo from Jaguar's archives
Jaguar is working on building six new Lightweight E-types to the exact specifications of the originals
The Jaguar F-Type Project 7 made its dynamic debut at the Le Mans Classic in July, driving alongside the D-type that influenced its design
Jaguar will soon reveal how the North American Project 7 differs from the European version it's already revealed
The Jaguar F-Type Project 7 made its dynamic debut at the Le Mans Classic in July
Jaguar plans to build up to 250 Project 7 models
The Project 7 is the most powerful production Jaguar ever
In addition to extra power, the Project 7 has aerodynamic upgrades, including a carbon fiber front splitter
One of the Project 7's biggest features is its D-type-inpsired fairing
The 575-hp F-Type Project 7 can hit 62 mph in 3.9 seconds
A peek inside the 2015 F-Type Project 7
Jaguar plans to begin deliveries of the Project 7 in 2015
The 2015 Jaguar F-Type Project 7
Lightweight E-type construction is underway
View gallery - 18 images

After a brief quiet spell on the international auto event front, next week's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance promises to reinvigorate the four-wheeled excitement. Jaguar has a particularly interesting lineup for this year's festivities, headlined by the world premiere of the new Lightweight E-type prototype. That brand-new-but-old beauty will share the spotlight with the US-spec F-Type Project 7, along with the Range Rover Sport SVR from sibling Land Rover.

In one of the more interesting automotive headlines of the year, Jaguar announced back in May that it planned to restart production on the Lightweight E-type – 50 years after stopping it. Between 1963 and 1964, Jaguar produced the stripped down E-type as a limited-edition version of the legendary E-type aimed at racing enthusiasts, building only 12 out of a planned 18 models. It took half a century, but it is finally building the other half-dozen.

Lightweight E-type photo from Jaguar's archives

With only six models to be had, many Concours d'Elegance's attendees will be out of luck in terms of reserving one, no matter how well-heeled and connected they are. Demand undoubtedly far surpasses supply, and Jaguar should get a pretty penny for each of the six models. It said back in May that established Jaguar collectors with historic race car interests would get first crack. At the least, next week's global premiere will give car collectors (and internet bystanders) the opportunity to see a brand-new Lightweight E-type for the first time in 50 years.

The new Lightweight E-types will be perfect reproductions of the originals, right down to the chassis numbers that were allocated back in 1963. Each model will be powered by a 3.8-liter straight-six engine and include an aluminum monocoque.

Jaguar is working on building six new Lightweight E-types to the exact specifications of the originals

A little over a month after announcing its Lightweight E-type production plans, Jaguar green-lighted another limited-edition car of E-type lineage, the all-new F-Type Project 7. Originally prepared for the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Project 7 is a souped-up special edition built on modern Jaguar design and engineering, with a bit of retro-inspired flair.

In taking the car from concept to reality, Jaguar added power and performance, declaring the the car "fastest and most powerful production Jaguar ever built." The European version features a 575-hp 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine that gets up for a 3.9-second 0-62 mph (100 km/h) sprint and a 186-mph (300 km/h) top speed. The F-Type's aluminum body is dressed with several bespoke carbon fiber aerodynamics aids, including a front splitter and adjustable rear spoiler.

The all-new F-Type Project 7 made its global debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in June and its dynamic debut at the Le Mans Classic in July. Jaguar will show the US-spec version of the car for the first time in Pebble Beach. The car's exterior and interior specifications will differ from those of the European version. The British marque plans to build up to 250 Project 7 models – presumably in less than 50 years – starting deliveries in mid-2015.

The Range Rover Sport SVR will make a debut at next week's Concours d'Elegance

The Lightweight E-Type reproduction and the F-Type Project 7 are both products of the recently launched Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations division. Special Ops has one more trick up its sleeve for Concours, only it's not a Jaguar. The 550-hp Range Rover Sport SVR, which just earned itself 8:14 Nürburgring bragging rights, will also make a debut at the show.

Jaguar Land Rover will get the big weekend started in style, showing all three aforementioned vehicles at the Thursday night Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Kick-Off Party that it's hosting on August 14.

Source: Jaguar Land Rover

View gallery - 18 images
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4 comments
Tony Matthews
So, the F-Type Project 7 was influenced by the design of the D-Type, to the extent that, apart from a head-rest fairing, it couldn't look more different. Not only completely unlike the D-Type but unpleasant and not recognizably a Jaguar unless the badge is in view. Very disappointing.
Mel Tisdale
If that's an E Type, I'm a banana! Why on earth do they want to dilute the image and attendant status of what was one of the world's truly iconic cars? I can see why a G Type would create a spot of bother, literally, but calling something an E Type when it most obviously is not, is not the answer.
The Skud
If I had the money, Jaguar could put their badge on a 4-cylinder, brick dunny on wheels and I would seriously look at it!
Keith Reeder
"Not only completely unlike the D-Type but unpleasant and not recognizably a Jaguar unless the badge is in view"
OF COURSE it look like a Jag - to anyone who hasn't been living under a rock for the last thirty years...
And "unpleasant"? It looks FANTASTIC!