Celebrating The Past, Present And Future: Jaguar Takes Lead At Goodwood

GOODWOOD, UNITED KINGDOM – June 27, 2011: The 50th anniversary of the launch of the E-type is set to be celebrated in style with cars from the past present and a little way into the future as Jaguar is honoured as featured marque at the 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Capturing the attention of the crowds expected to number in excess of 175,000 over the three days (July 1-3) of the Festival will be a dramatic Jaguar-themed sculpture erected on the lawn in front of Goodwood House. Measuring 28-metres in height and weighing 150-tonnes, the sculpture, designed by Gerry Judah, promises to be a striking centrepiece for the celebrations.

The main focus of the event will be the action on the notorious Goodwood Hill. The high speed 1.16-mile run will feature key Jaguars from the past, including an E-type Group 44 racer, a D-type, an XK140 and the iconic XJ13 racer.

The event will also celebrate significant current and future Jaguars. The XKR-S, the fastest Jaguar in a generation, capable of accelerating to 100 mph in a little over 8-seconds will take to the hill with Mike Cross at the wheel. Joining it will be the new XFR making its UK public debut – the same 510 PS model having won the 'Most Spirited Getaway' at the Festival of Speed press day earlier in the year.

Likely to cause a stir will be the beautiful C-X75 concept car which will be on display on the Jaguar stand. Serving as inspiration for a future, highly innovative road-going version being developed at the moment by Jaguar and Williams F1, the C-X75 embodies the key attributes of advanced, forward-looking design, innovation and engineering that made the E-type a world-beating sports car.

Now in its 19th year, the Goodwood Festival of Speed also allows visitors to take part through the innovative Moving Motor Show, held on Thursday June 30. Jaguar will be taking part with the latest models being represented and available to be driven by invited guests up the Goodwood Hill.