- Martin Brundle, Christian Danner and Justin Bell drive
F-TYPE prototypes on track and road
- Follow this link to view and share the
film
13.12.12: The F-TYPE has undergone its first
dynamic challenge outside of Jaguar's internal development
programme, following an invitation to three world-renowned drivers
- Martin Brundle, Christian Danner and Justin Bell - to put both
280kW V6 and 364kW V8 prototype models to the test.
In cold and challenging conditions at the UK's Snetterton 300
circuit and on the surrounding Norfolk roads, the trio of
international racing drivers and television presenters - resident
in the UK, Germany and the US - were able to experience the
F-TYPE's performance in full.
Their efforts were witnessed by Mike Cross, Chief Engineer
Vehicle Integrity, Jaguar, the man who has directed the team which
has worked tirelessly to ensure the F-TYPE delivers a truly
rewarding sports car driving experience.
"It's been a fascinating day," said Mike. "The entire F-TYPE
development programme has, from a vehicle development perspective,
been focused on delivering a connected sports car driving
experience. To witness three respected drivers take to the track
and to hear their positive comments validate our work has been
great."
The camouflaged prototype F-TYPE S and F-TYPE V8 S models
provided for the test were fully representative of production
intent from a dynamic and powertrain perspective. The 280kW F-TYPE
S covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.9 seconds and has an
electronically limited top speed of 275km/h. Corresponding headline
figures for the F-TYPE V8 S are 0-100km/h in 4.3 seconds and an
electronically limited top speed of 300km/h. Both feature
all-aluminium construction, Adaptive Dynamics suspension and an
Active Exhaust system.
You can view the F-TYPE track and road driving impressions of
Brundle, Danner and Bell here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gz_9UoLFAs&feature=youtu.be
Editors' notes
F-TYPE: Launched at this year's
Paris Auto Show, the all-aluminium F-TYPE represents a
return to Jaguar's heartland: a two-seater, convertible sports car
focused on performance, agility and driver involvement. Three
models are available - F-TYPE, F-TYPE S and the
F-TYPE V8 S. They are powered respectively by Jaguar's new
3.0-litre V6 supercharged petrol engine in 340PS and 380PS outputs
and its 5.0-litre V8 supercharged petrol producing 495PS.
To view the full F-TYPE launch release and associated
downloads, click
here
Martin Brundle: Following a
13-year career in Formula 1, in 1997 Martin Brundle began a second
successful career as a television commentator and today is the
expert face of F1 for Sky Sports. In addition to his F1 driving
career, Martin raced very successfully for Jaguar in World Sports
Cars, taking the driver's crown in 1988 and victory at Le Mans in
1990.
Christian Danner: The winner of
the first Formula 3000 championship, Christian Danner went on to
race in F1, Indycars and touring cars - winning both the Spa and
Nürburgring 24-hour races in 1992. He is the F2 lap-record
holder at the Nürburgring and today he commentates on Formula
1 for German TV channel RTL.
Justin Bell: After beginning his
competition career on two wheels, Justin Bell switched to cars in
1988 and has since raced for many car manufacturers, winning the
1997 World FIA GT2 Championship in a Dodge Viper with a 1998 GT2
Class win at Le Mans in the same car. Today, resident in the US,
Justin works for a variety of TV outlets.
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