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Jaguar offering I-Pace Nurburgring hot laps for $164

Jaguar is adding the I-Pace electric crossover as an option for its Nurburgring "taxi rides." After launching the I-Pace eTrophy one-make racing series, Jaguar wants to spread the sporting love and offer prospective customers the chance to experience The Green Hell in a battery-powered environment. In 2018, Jaguar introduced the XE SV Project 8 race taxi service. As the car Jaguar used to break the four-door sedan lap record (twice), it offers an extreme experience with all sorts of grunt and aural engagement. With the I-Pace, Jaguar offers an alternative, less intense, but still fun choice. The I-Pace, with its 90 kWh lithium-ion battery, makes 395 horsepower and 513 lb-ft of torque. Jaguar claims it can do zero to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. The electric crossover will do a 12.9-mile (20.8 kilometers) lap with 73 corners. The customer will ride with a "professional, experienced racer," though Jaguar does not specify names. Passengers must be at least 18 years old, must weigh less than 265 pounds, and cannot be taller than 6 1/2 feet.  While a single lap in the Project 8 costs $278, including taxes, a single lap in the I-Pace is significantly less at $164. It's worth noting, however, a ride in the I-Pace might include two other passengers (three max), while the ride in the Project 8 only allows for one passenger. Booking is open now.

UK electric motor maker YASA expands production 50-fold for EVs

LONDON — British electric motor manufacturer YASA said on Thursday it was increasing its production capacity from 2,000 to 100,000 units with a new factory to tap into growing demand from carmakers for greener technologies. Automakers are racing to build greener vehicles and improve charge times in a bid to meet rising customer demand and air quality targets but Britain lacks sufficient manufacturing capacity, an area the government is building up. Last year, the government picked a site in central England to house a new automotive battery development facility, which will develop the processes required to manufacture the latest battery advancements. On Thursday, YASA, based near the English city of Oxford, said it had raised another 15 million pounds ($21 million) as part of its expansion. "Our customers are looking to adopt innovative new technologies such as YASA's axial-flux electric motors and controllers in order to meet the needs of the rapidly expanding hybrid and pure electric automotive market," said Chief Executive Chris Harris. The firm exports 80 percent of production and has worked with companies including Britain's two biggest carmakers Jaguar Land Rover and Nissan as well as Aston Martin. JLR will decide this year whether to build electric cars in its home market, previously citing factors such as pilot testing and support from science and government as pre-requisites. Reporting by Costas PitasRelated Video:

Petrolicious examines a very special Jaguar C-Type

There are rare Jaguars, and then there's this stunning C-Type Lightweight Le Mans. Built in response to the dominance of the Mercedes-Benz 300SL at the 1952 24 Hours of Le Mans, Jaguar made only three C-Types for 1953 and managed to capture first, second, and fourth. These cars featured four-wheel disc brakes – a rarity at the time even in endurance racing – and a lighter aluminum body. The two SU carburetors were swapped out for three Webers, meaning more power and, according to RM Sotheby's David Swig, better throttle response. Swig would know. In the latest video from Petrolicious, he takes the fourth-place C-Type for a ride, giving us a look at the sleek open-roof racer in action, while our ears enjoy the delicious sound of the 3.4-liter, twin-cam straight-six. "What I love about these cars is how communicative they are on the road," Swig told Petrolicious. "How when you're going through a corner, you feel in the seat of your pants and through the steering wheel every little movement, every little pebble that you drive over." Beyond the driving experience, there's something to be said of the historical seat Swig is occupying. "No less than five Le Mans-winning drivers of this period have sat behind the wheel of this car," Swig said, "which almost give you goosebumps." Should you have the money, you can actually put this iconic racing Jaguar in your garage. RM Sotheby's will offer it for auction as part of its glitzy Monterey Car Week event next month. While you can look forward to our coverage of that event come August, you can enjoy the sight and sound of this iconic C-Type in the latest episode from Petrolicious.