2016 Jaguar Project 7 F-Type

The idea for a short-screen 'speedster' concept came to life at Goodwood two years ago as a way of celebrating Jaguar"s seven Le Mans wins and the achievements of the Ecurie Ecosse racing team responsible for two of them, and of showing just how far the F-Type model could be pushed to make something harder edged.

This is the most powerful road Jaguar yet, hand-built at the company"s Special Vehicle Operations division and fitted with all the top-end running gear: eight-speed Quickshift transmission, electronic differential, carbon-ceramic brakes, unique-tune adaptive dampers and its own special settings for engine management and chassis stability control.

The Project 7 also has unique springs and anti-roll bars, the most prominent feature being front springs that are a stonking 80 percent stiffer, to cope with the potential force generated by the brakes and withstand turn-in loads at high speed on the soft standard Continental Force tyres. Engineers also moved the Sport and standard suspension settings further apart, to provide good options for short and long-distance use.

The Project 7 starts as a standard V8 drophead, with its 5.0-litre supercharged engine modified to produce 575PS (25bhp more than an F-Type R Coupé) plus 516lb ft of torque (15lb ft more). Proportionally speaking, these aren"t huge increases, but they"re delivered via unique throttle maps that let you feel the extra energy from around 2500rpm.

Throw in the effect of a 45kg weight reduction (an abbreviated, get-you-home hood saves 35kg and the seats have race-bred carbon fibre shells) and you get best-yet F-Type straight-line acceleration: a 0-60mph sprint time of 3.8sec. The top speed is electronically limited to 186mph (300km/h), as with other F-Types. With the exhaust butterflies open (there"s a special console switch), the car emits a superb growl-bark that turns into a magnificent crackle on the overrun. It"s the one thing that makes you want to slow down.

SVO engineers also rebalanced and improved the car"s rear-biased aerodynamic downforce by fitting side skirts and a large front splitter, while slightly reducing the effectiveness (and drag) of the boot lid wing.

The timeless design and state-of-the-art technologies, F-TYPE Project 7 truly is the very best of both worlds.

To quote from the pre-release marketing;

“With only eighty right-hand drive ever to be produced of this contemporary classic Jaguar, making the F-TYPE Project 7 a once in a lifetime opportunity to own the very best of Jaguar and a landmark in their history.”

The specification includes:

Historic racing D-Type style with exclusive classic rear Aero Haunch

Lightweight all-aluminium body with racing-inspired front bumper with splitter

20” Alloy Wheels

8 Speed Automatic Transmission

Carbon Ceramic Braking System with Brake assist

Electric Power steering

Unique race-inspired F-TYPE seats in Premium Leather

Heated Leather Tilt and Telescope Steering Wheel

Bespoke manual "Bimini" hood

Dusk Sensing Xenon Lights

Navigation, DVD Player, USB Connection, and Meridian Premium Speakers

Parking Sensors

Unique "Project 7" badging

Our vendor was one of those lucky people who attended the Goodwood launch, placed an expression of interest, and was told that the waiting list would be worked through after the event. Having thought about it that evening, and being a remarkably generous individual, he decided that he would order a second car for his wife. So, in the fullness of time, both cars arrived at their chosen dealer, Williams in Manchester, and they took delivery with this car then registered on 02/03/2016.

His wife has now decided that as she has never used her Project car the time has come to let it go. The car is appropriately registered PR07 TWO (the plate will stay with the car) and in addition to the standard spec is finished in Glacier White with Heritage Decals, is fitted with four-point harnesses, a Jaguar battery charger in the boot, and is on standard wheels and road tyres. The odometer currently indicates just 12 delivery miles.

The car will be accompanied by all its manuals and launch documents, a highly-polished Speedform model of the car and a bespoke 'Project 7' car cover.

We welcome any inspection of this landmark Jaguar and gently remind you that it's only a few weeks until Christmas.