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LAS VEGAS, Nevada, November 5 – Jaguar North America is today unveiling a dramatic ‘Racing Concept’ version of its all-wheel-drive X-TYPE at the 2002 Specialty Equipment Manufacturers 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.

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


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.

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.


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

 

You kill me Tony.