24H. Le Mans – Jaguar, an astonishing return to the paddock

What is the favorite occupation of spectators at the Le Mans circuit during the 24 Hours of Le Mans ? Walk around the Village of course! The launch of the free trials, this Wednesday, June 8, was an opportunity to notice the essential stores to visit before they are robbed at the end of the week. As well as hospitality from companies present on the track (Mission H24, Total, Corvette, Peugeot ). However, we were not surprised to come across the logo of a jaguar leaping in the paddock!

The presence of a Jaguar promotional space is surprising. The British brand is conspicuous by its absence in Sarthe since 1995 and the short-lived XJ220 GT1 in 1995 (abandonments), and no wish concerning a return to Hypercar has been expressed by the Coventry firm, already very happy to evolve in Electric Formula.

The manufacturer owned by Land Rover since 2013 is present at Le Mans with three vehicles: a gray F-Pace SVR SUV and an enigmatic F-Pace SVR 1988 Edition. This 4×4 appears painted black but the dim lights of the stand hide a dark purple shade...sorry, Midnight Amethyst Gloss according to the press release.

“The design of the F-PACE SVR Edition 1988, powered by a 8-liter V5.0 of 550 horsepower, is inspired by the legendary Jaguars lined up in endurance races, explains Richard Woolley Special Vehicle Operations Creative Director for Jaguar. The Midnight Amethyst Gloss paint appears black until its amethyst undertones reveal themselves in bright sunlight, adding to the SVR's dynamic silhouette. To perfect this Ultra Metallic Gloss finish, we studied more than 40 variations before obtaining the right depth of shade. » You will tell us about it!

Very concretely, if we remove the paint, the golden rims and a few historical reminders in the passenger compartment, nothing changes compared to the standard F-Pace SVR... except its price: from 138 euros in France. It is better to take care of the color at this price.

The 34th anniversary of Jaguar's sixth and penultimate success at the 24 Hours of Le Mans is being celebrated with the presence of the XJR-9 LM in the middle of this stand... without any safety cordon! It is also the most popular vehicle of the trio, by far. Even children are attracted to the prototype, amazed by the legendary Silk Cut livery and the streamlined rear wheels.

The XJR-9 LM which will be visible at the Le Mans Village until next Sunday is the exact example that won in 1988 in the hands of the late Johnny Dumfries (deceased in 2021), Andy Wallace and Jan Lammers. Its 12-liter V7.0 is still in working order, as it can often be heard during demonstrations at the Goodwood Festival of Speed ​​(Great Britain). In 1988, the Jaguar completed 394 laps before crossing the finish line, the exact number of copies produced of this special F-Pace SVR.

Obviously, this impressive device raises a question: when will Jaguar return to Le Mans, this time on the track? “We are here to celebrate the rich history of the brand in Sarthe,” explains the seller, dressed in a very British look (elegant white long-sleeved shirt and shorts!). We will see if Jaguar races at Le Mans in the future, but that is complicated because the economic context of the world is not stable. » Damage.