I started discussing this in another thread but thought it best to start a new thread dedicated to this project.

So far there are 6-7 members here interested in a set.

Keep in mind, this is the first prototype, fashioned somewhat crudely from plastic. The final product will be CNC'd aluminum and have the quality & finish of a genuine Jaguar manufactured part.

They will have + & - punched out on the top, just like the Jaguar & Rover paddles and will probably be anodized red, black or silver.

They will be approximately .25" wider, 1" longer on the bottom & 2" taller on top and a slight curve to follow the steering wheel.

Have not finalized whether they will fit over the existing paddles as 1 piece, 2 pieces or replace them all together.

Pricing is not final, but if you are interested, please indicate so here. I am aiming for a price between $150 to $350 per set, but again, I will have an exact price when they are finalized.

I hope to have a finished product in the next 2 weeks.

 

Very nice and thanks! I like the increased size, sounds perfect. I would prefer that they replace the plastic lever part of the existing shifter. I think this would may result in better quality and save on cost.

 

Interested if they are made as a replacement paddle.

Probably would not be interested if they are made to just fit over the existing paddles.

 

I may be interested, depending on cost and how the position of the paddle changes. I'm keen to avoid accidental paddle touches, something which happens to me from time to time.

 

NGARARA ... My thoughts exactly!

 

If you are in sport mode, you should be using paddles all of the time If in Drive mode, you can have the paddles disabled so there would be no accidental shifts.

 

Current paddle shifters have the + and - that light up at night or under dark conditions with automatic light controls for the entire dash and console.

Will yours do that?

 

We are having a meeting this morning but there are 3 possible versions.

1. a glue on piece similar to the aftermarket paddle extenders others have discussed on the forum. If would cover one side of the existing paddle and finished in matte black anodized aluminum to blend in and not be perceptible. approx cost $100-$200 per set

2. if you look at your existing paddles you will see they are actually a 2 piece design snapped together. The 2nd idea is to have a similar 2 piece design that fits over the existing paddles, 1 for the front, 1 for the back. approx cost $200-$300 per set

3. considerably more labor intensive and would require the use of a brand new mechanism from Jaguar, replacing the entire plastic paddle with aluminum. We would have to disassemble a new paddle and the aluminum paddle replacement would of course need to have a matching integrated hinge. approx cost $300+

Again the design is not final and neither are the costs. Price will also be dependent on how many of you would like to buy a set, the more who join in, the cheaper they will get.

 

It is possible but not currently in the design due to increased cost. We would have to have a 2 piece snap together just like the factory ones & a clear plastic strip sandwiched from the LED to the symbol. The current version has the + & - cut out just like the factory aluminum paddles.

 

I would love to see how the prototype looks in proportion to the wheel.

I would prefer a replacement of the existing paddles, as there is barely enough room between the existing paddles and the light/wiper stalks for my fingers to fit... hence the accidental shifts. Covering the existing paddles would mean even less room and greater likelihood of accidental shifts.

I would also prefer the cost to be around $250, as anything more and I would rather get the factory aluminum paddles.

This is just my wish list, others may not agree.

 

Here it is fitted on the car. No clearance issues and a great feel on the hands.

 

That looks great...

So that prototype reuses the switch piece but replaces the paddle, correct?

 

Those look good any chance of having them in carbon?

Although I'm still loving my aluminum paddles, I may look at carbon down the road for switch.

 

Yes, of course. I chose not to do carbon because my car and most others do not have carbon interiors.

 

Thank you. I am very pleased how they turned out. As I mentioned before there are 3 possible designs. I will probably go with version 2.

 

Wow, great job! I would also like to see them in carbon fiber.

 

Me too!

 

The tooling I am setting up is for aluminum. I'll have to see how much for the carbon fiber fabrication but I suspect it will cost more. I have the ability to do hydro printing instead of anodizing, if that would be of interest.

What I am going to need is a head count for those who would be ready to buy aluminum, as the greater the quantity the lower the price.

 

Question: if you go for the 2-part design, would it be removable? I'm a bit twitchy about making permanent mods, as my car is a limited edition (only 20 like it) and originality is important for future value.

 

Not certain of that, whether it would be glued or screwed.

HOWEVER, I do not believe it to be relevant in your case as new paddles from Jaguar are only $25 each/$50 for a set, so you could easily swap them out.