Jaguar reveals racer concept based on F-Type

Jaguar's contribution to this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed, one of England's most prestigious annual automotive events, is the Project 7 concept car – inspired by the iconic D-Type racers of the 1950s and based on the all-new 2014 Jaguar F-Type convertible sports car.

The one-off Project 7's design team was led by Jaguar's director of design, Ian Callum. It will be driven in its Goodwood debut by Mike Cross, the brand's chief engineer, vehicle integrity.

It will be in action on Goodwood's famous hill on all three days of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, from Friday, July 12 through Sunday July 14, 2013.

Powered by a by a 550-horsepower, 5-litre supercharged V-8 engine, the Project

7 is said to accelerate from 0-to-97 km/h (60 mph) in 4.1 seconds and attain a top speed of 299 km/h (186mph).

Project 7 is a single-seat sports car based on the F-TYPE, with the kind of racing-inspired form that designers dream about," said Callum. "It has one purpose: to be driven fast and enjoyed. Jaguar sports cars are known for exceptional performance and clean design. Project 7 captures that spirit in its purest form."

The car's name is a tribute to Jaguar's seven victories at Le Mans between 1951 and1990, and its blue paintwork reflects the winning Jaguar D-type cars of 1956/1957.

"The overriding dynamic aim when developing the F-TYPE was ensuring connected feel... a true, driver-focused sports car; agile, immediate, fast and, of course, fun," said Cross. "Having achieved that for the road, Project 7 has given us a unique opportunity to go that little bit further. It's visceral in every sense... I'm very much looking forward to driving it at Goodwood."

More than just a static concept, Project 7 is a fully-functional car that went from an experimental sketch by Jaguar designer Cesar Pieri to the track in just four months. "When I saw (Pieri's) sketch of a low-screen, single-seat F-TYPE, I felt enthused by it and wanted to take it further," said Callum. Thus, Project 7 was born.

"The most prominent change from the production F-Type is the D-Type-inspired rear fairing section behind the driver, which incorporates a roll-over hoop. The convertible top system has been deleted.

Aerodynamic modifications include a carbon-fibre front air splitter, side skirts, large rear diffuser and a fixed rear spoiler with a 14-degree angle of attack. The side louvers and hood vents are also carbon-fibre, and carbon-fibrer and aluminum mirrors are inspired by those on Jaguar's C-X16 sports car concept.

The windshield has been lowered and a new front fascia incorporates revised air intakes and headlights with gloss black surrounds. The car sits on 20-inch forged-alloy wheels with carbon-fibre inserts.

Inside, the driver sits in a composite bucket seat, held in place by a four-point racing harness. The passenger seat is replaced by a custom-fabricated helmet holder, which carries a matching, custom-designed helmet.

The seat and the door panels are finished in a quilted. racing-style diamond pattern, there are carbon-fibre inserts on the console and shift lever, and the steering wheel is features machined aluminum paddles.

"Project 7 is a very special car – not just because it's a one-off, but because of its purity of purpose. It's pure Jaguar," Callum concluded.