Sunday, May 8, 2011

Bertone Jaguar B99 GT 2011


























Many interesting cars at the Geneva Motor Show this year, and one that concerns me is the B99 design study for an entry-level Jaguar sedan by Bertone. Jaguar has thrived on such a powerful duality for decades, combining the subtleties of exclusive luxury cars the predator-like brute force of the full race cars perfectly suited to 24 hour race track punishment. For this reason Bertone has decided to transform the elegant B99 luxury sedan into a GT race track monster.

The Bertone Jaguar B99 GT concept is race version, which is just as wild as every Jaguar in the jungle, the carryover components of the original sedan (front doors, greenhouse, hood and trunk) are very obvious but the 2.5 meter wide body leaves no doubt. 

The overall height car has been lowered 100mm compared to the street version, and has been given a mere 50mm ground clearance along with a perfectly flat belly for aerodynamic efficiency. The Pirelli PZero race tires are 325/30/19. The giant front spoiler pulls in the cooling air while the giant rear extractor returns it. The side spoilers are filled with giant exhaust side pipes. The rear spoiler is a traditional bi-level race spoiler. The interior has been completely emptied and filled with a safety roll cage, a full race drivers seat and a few minimalist instruments. The graphics are in bright fluorescent green in contrast with the silver body and the carbon fiber aerodynamics components.
The modular “pure” hybrid system in the B99 has been modified to include two additional Lucchi electric engines for a four-wheel drive layout producing the equivalent of 725 kW, around 980Cv. It is in order to meet the demanding performance requirements on the track. Now the Jaguar racing dynasty has a new member, the B99 GT.

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