Ok... so it works for a 0.5 turn lock-to-lock steering application on an F1 cart. Not so well for the 2.5 turns on a 3800 pound automobile.

 

 

Hmm, it doesn't look like the Project 7 is AWD. I assumed it was, but I noticed in the video that the hood vents are wrong. So I checked the Project 7 model page on the Jaguar web site and it isn't listed there either.

 

Wish we could get that frontend with the nice open grill.

 

I think the 7 is RWD because it's based on the 2014/2015 models, which obviously doesn't have AWD.

 

Globally, the current R is available in both RWD and AWD versions. Just not here in the states.

 

Yes. Project 7 appears to have MY2016 side skirts, chances are its the latest MY2016 RWD 'R', modified. Steering wheel looks to be the Suedecloth / Alcantara version, which is not available flat bottomed (or heated) - presumably chosen for its grip.

The EVO vid mentions that the tires are Continental ContiforceContact - a departure from 'R' P Zeros, but must be really soft/sticky and have a pretty low wear rating (to be expected).

 

yes, I know that globally the V8R is still avail in RWD. But the development of the Project 7 started with the 2013 V8S RWD. I'm guessing all the difficult work of suspension tuning, etc. was done on a 2013 V8S RWD, not a 2016 V8R. The cosmetic stuff they can tweak up until the last minute so they might use some parts from the 2016 for that.

 

 

Blasphemy ahead...

I would think fundementally the 2016 vert == 2014 vert == Project 7. Yes, they changed the front suspension and the engine tune, but I'm not sure the Project 7 is much more than that, other than the cosmetics (spoiler, rear deck, front plastics & grille, custom seats, black storm wheels, some custom paint colors etc)... Its a nice 'story', harkens back to days of old, and its a limited edition, but...

I imagine they pull a 2016 chassis off the line at some convenient point and go for it.

 

But you are also not going lock to lock on any track either ...

 

Agreed. According to the Evo video, there are also some revised suspension bits and pieces that improve handling to a small degree, as well as a marginally hotter ECU tune, but most of it appears to be cosmetic. That includes the new front fascia, which I still wonder whether it has been tested and passed the US 2.5 mph impact std.

On balance, I think it's disappointing and certainly doesn't really push the bar any higher. I can't believe that they only managed to shed 100 lbs., which is rather trivial on a 2 ton car. It certainly doesn't close any of the gap between the likes of the AMG-GT or Porsche GT3. At the reported price, I think the appeal is questionable.

 

No, but on a production car the steering ratio forces you to turn the wheel far more than 90 degrees when going through tight turns. Not so with a race car.

 

I thought they said 100 kg, which is more like 220 lbs, but still not much.

For that money I'd buy my current car and just make more mods to it. That or I'd look at something a bit more upscale.

 

No, near the beginning of the video, when the reviewer is running down the stats, and before the test drive begins, he says, "It's 45 Kilos lighter than an F-Type R Coupe ." That's a hair under 100 lbs.

 

Well, it has no roof, so that's a chunk of weight they got for free. Difficult to see where they could have cut much if any weight - and it doesn't really seem to have been the object of the excercise.