LAS VEGAS, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Jaguar North America is today unveiling
a dramatic "Racing Concept" version of its all-wheel-drive X-TYPE at the 2002
Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) annual trade show. The bold,
race-inspired concept has been developed to test the potential of Jaguar's
X-TYPE sports sedan as a "project car" for the enthusiast market, as well as
continuing to explore options for Jaguar racing in North America.
"The X-TYPE Racing Concept sends a clear message to enthusiasts that
motorsport is a vital, and integral part of our DNA," said George Ayres, Vice
President, Marketing, Jaguar North America. "Since its introduction a year
ago, we knew the X-TYPE would provide the perfect platform from which to style
a visually-dramatic race-bred concept," added Ayres.
With design inspiration taken from Trans-Am and the European DTM race
series, the X-TYPE Racing Concept was built by Rocketsports Racing at its
Lansing, Michigan shop using a 3.0-liter V6 all-wheel drive Jaguar X-TYPE as a
donor vehicle.
Among the features of the X-TYPE Racing Concept:
* Aggressive, race-inspired "wide body" styling
* Full width, race-inspired rear wing
* Three-piece, center-lock 18-inch BBS racing rims
* Michelin Pilot race tires
* Race-bred Brembo brakes with six-piston calipers
* Jaguar Racing Green paintwork with Jaguar "leaper" graphics
Paul Gentilozzi's Rocketsports Racing was a natural choice for the
project. The team competes in the Trans-Am Series for the BFGoodrich Tires
Cup using a Jaguar XKR-bodied racecar, and has considerable experience in
racecar fabrication and development.
"We used the principles we'd learned creating our XKR-bodied Trans-Am cars
to create a racing X-TYPE. This aggressive wide-body look also reflects a
growing number of the project cars coming out of the import car scene,"
explained three-time Trans-Am champion Gentilozzi.
Rocketsports' team of racecar engineers began by widening the X-TYPE's
track by over eight inches and fitting three-piece, center-lock BBS wheels.
These 18-inch race alloys are similar to the ones the team used on its XKR
during February's Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona endurance race when Gentilozzi won
his GTS class. They are fitted with the latest Michelin Pilot race tires,
with a 345/18-section at the front, 385/18 at the rear.
To give the concept the kind of stopping power that matches its
anticipated grip, 14-inch front, and 13-inch rear ventilated racing rotors
clamped by six-piston Brembo racing calipers were added. They are fitted with
race-spec Ferodo high-friction brake pads.
Modifications to the body included the addition of race-style wheel arches
joined longitudinally by aerodynamic rocker box sections. At the front,
there's a deeper spoiler incorporating a lower splitter, while at the rear a
full-width, racing-style wing is mounted on the rear deck. Rocketsports also
fabricated a new exhaust system, featuring dual pipes emerging from each side
of the rear.
The X-TYPE's production grille openings and headlight locations were
unaltered for the concept. However, to stay true to Jaguar's R-Performance
styling cues, the upper and lower front grilles use a chrome mesh similar to
that used in the supercharged S-TYPE R, XJR and XKR models.
To complete the dramatic appearance, the concept is painted Jaguar Racing
Green, a new color for all 2003 Jaguar models. And along each side, silver
Jaguar "leaper" graphics echo those used on Rocketsports Racing's XKR race
cars.
"Much of the styling and technology on display at SEMA is derived from
that of racing cars. By showing the X-TYPE Racing Concept, we hope to
demonstrate to customers and high-performance component suppliers the
potential of the X-TYPE, both as a racecar and as a platform for aftermarket
tuning," added George Ayres.
During the Racing Concept's appearance at the SEMA show, special video
units mounted inside the car will project footage of Jaguar's racing heritage
on to the inside of the windshield. It is the intention of Rocketsports
Racing to engineer this car into a driveable test car in 2003 sourcing
appropriate components from the after market.
The X-TYPE Racing Concept will be on display at the 2002 trade-only
Specialty Equipment Market Show (SEMA) at the Las Vegas Convention Center
Nov 5-8.
X-TYPE Racing Concept - Specification
Based on Jaguar all-wheel drive X-TYPE 3.0 AJ-V6 5-sp
Built by Rocketsports Racing, Lansing, Michigan
Body All-steel front spoiler with splitter; front and rear
track widened by 8-inches; Trans-Am-style wheel arch
extensions with aero rocker box design; rocker extensions
between arches; rear air dam with diffuser.
Rear wing Trunk lid-mounted with carbon-fiber aero end plates.
Wheels Three-piece, center lock BBS race alloys.
12Jx18 (fr), 13Jx18 (r)
Tires Michelin Pilot racing 345/18 (fr), 385/18 (r)
Brakes Brembo 14x-inch vented rotors (fr), 13x1-inch vented (r)
Six-piston Brembo calipers with Ferodo DS3000 high-friction
pads.
Paint Jaguar Racing Green
SOURCE Jaguar North America
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Related links:
http://www.media.jaguar.com
CONTACT:
James Thomas, +1-949-341-6140, or Leticia
Parquer, +1-201-818-8182, both of Jaguar North America
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