1969 Jaguar E-type 2 Door on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Jaguar to finish building six remaining Lightweight E-Types

Back in February of 1963, Jaguar set about making a small run of lightweight E-Types. It recrafted the bodywork out of aluminum, shoehorned in a 3.8-liter straight-six with an aluminum block, stripped out the interior, removed the chrome trim and fitted lighter-weight side windows. The result was a 250-pound reduction in curb weight and a commensurate increase in performance, especially evident on the race track. The company originally set about building 18 examples, but only managed 12. The remaining six were allocated chassis numbers, but were never built. That is, until now.
Fifty years since the last of the original 12 lightweight E-Types were completed, Jaguar has announced that it is preparing to resume production and complete the final six examples. The company has assigned its top craftsmen to the job, who will build the half-dozen continuation Lightweights to the same exact specifications as the original dozen. Former sister-company and perennial arch-rival Aston Martin undertook a similar task (or at least authorized Zagato to do so) when it sanctioned four continuation examples of the original DB4 GT Zagato based on original chassis numbers in 1988, and another two based on original body shells and stock DB4 chassis in 1992.
Jaguar has not yet announced pricing and availability for the continuation Lightweights, but the first old-is-new example is set to debut this summer, whereupon Coventry will release further details. You can bet, though, that each one will be snapped up rather quick at just about any price the British automaker cares to put on them.

Lister Stealth debuts as a reworked Jaguar F-Pace SVR with 195-mph top speed

The Lister Jaguar F-Pace is here, and according to Lister, it’s “BritainÂ’s fastest and most powerful SUV.” Top speed is 195 mph. Bentley might like a word about this claim, as it considers the Bentayga Speed to be the fastest SUV in the world. However, the Bentley only tops out at 190 mph. ThereÂ’s the question of whether or not the Lister should count, too. At its core, the Lister Stealth (this vehicleÂ’s proper name) is a heavily reworked Jaguar F-Pace SVR.  None of the above will really matter unless you find yourself on the autobahn or an airstrip. Practically speaking, the StealthÂ’s 0-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds will be far more useful. ThatÂ’s a half second quicker than the F-Pace SVRÂ’s 4.1-second 0-60 mph time. It comes courtesy of Lister upping power from the 5.0-liter supercharged V8 to 666 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. Lister gets more power and better cooling via upgraded dual supercharger pulleys, a custom-built intercooler and a new high performance air filtration system. It then applies a custom tune to the powertrain software to make it as smooth and easy to drive as the regular F-Pace SVR. Cooling is enhanced further via a new carbon fiber front bumper that has two massive air intakes for added airflow. In addition to the bumper, Lister fits a new front splitter and larger rear diffuser for better aerodynamics. Larger side skirts and wider wheel arches enhance the stance of the vehicle, while 23-inch wheels make it stand out even more. A custom stainless steel exhaust pokes out through the carbon fiber diffuser, and uprated brakes hide behind those big wheels. Lister gives folks a ton of customization options for the interior. You can choose between 36 different color choices of the fancy Bridge of Weir Nappa leather. There are up to 90 different stitching options available, too.  We have a feeling there wonÂ’t be a single one exactly like another, because Lister is only building 100 Stealths. Pricing starts at GBP109,950 and goes up from there. At todayÂ’s exchange rates, itÂ’s equal to about $145,000. ThatÂ’s $63,250 more than a base F-Pace SVR. But hey, maybe that extra 19 mph on the top end is worth it to you. Related video: Featured Gallery Lister Stealth View 17 Photos Aftermarket Jaguar Crossover SUV Luxury Performance

Jaguar Land Rover rescues British off-road tuner Bowler

Jaguar Land Rover's Special Vehicles Operation (SVO) rescued British off-road tuner Bowler from an uncertain fate. The firm has worked with Land Rover in the past, but it has always been independent. While JLR isn't in an ideal position to make acquisitions, and its recent financial troubles are well documented, Bowler was on the brink of shutting down. The small, 34-year old company had entered administration, and the 26 people it employed risked losing their jobs. Monetary details haven't been released, meaning we don't know how much Bowler was worth, but the firm pointed out it's now fully owned by SVO. It joins SV, Vehicle Personalization, and Classic as the division's fourth pillar. It's too early to tell precisely where Bowler will fit in the JLR latticework, because the initial focus will be on stabilizing the company. It will remain based in Belper, England, and every member of its full-time staff has been offered a position as a JLR employee. Bowler made a name for itself by turning the original Defender into a rally car, and Land Rover said the expertise it acquired during decades of racing is highly sought after, so that's a hint we'll see more hardcore models developed jointly by the two companies sooner or later. The new Defender would lend itself well to the Bowler treatment. The Bowler name could replace the SVX nameplate used on the stillborn, V8-powered Discovery, for example. The tuner's focus on off-pavement performance means we're unlikely to see a Bowler-badged Jaguar, but anything is possible as global demand for SUVs (especially quick ones) continues to rise. What's certain is that, once Bowler is stable, it will grow bigger.