Lusting after Ian Callum's 21st Century Jaguar Mk2? So buy one...

Ian Callum showed up at Goodwood this morning for a spot of filming with Lord March and a global rock god (you know, another day of typical ‘car designer’ stuff…), so we grabbed the chance to pop a few questions about the Mark 2 Jaguar that’s been making news today.

“I think around ten are going to be built. Customers will be able to spec’ the cars up however they want”
Ian Callum

He’s been involved with the project to re-imagine a Mark 2 for a couple of years. The fruits of his imagination – and Classic Motor Cars Ltd‘s labour – have just been unveiled to general acclaim, and Ian has promised to bring it down to the paddock during the Goodwood Revival so visitors can take a closer look at his new machine in the metal.

According to Ian it was those beautifully nuanced new front and rear aprons that took “bloody ages” to get right. He originally toyed with the idea of using the simple chrome blade style bumper from the later 240/340 series cars. “But I really wanted to do my own thing,” he said, and ultimately decided to get rid of bumpers altogether.

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Other exterior design upgrades are subtle-ish, but significant. The front wings have been widened and incorporate (very JLR!) vertical louvres to help cool the engine compartment, while the rear spats have been remodeled and there’s a new louvred panel in the nearside rear wing that helps to vent the passenger compartment. The external chrome side-strip has been removed, too.

Other changes are a car-spotter’s delight. Who has noticed the re-shaped front (and now fixed) front quarter-lights, and the missing sidelight pods from the wing-tops? Sidelights are now incorporated into the headlamp units. Oh, and the door handles aren’t original either.

Inside, the seats have been redesigned (and upholstered in Scottish leather!), as have the redesigned door casings. Other touches include redesigned instrument faces, an alcantara headlining and a dark oak dash with piano black edging.

Under the bonnet is where CMC came in, and we’re told the in-line six XK engine has been repositioned in the chassis to improve lubrication, cooling and fuelling. Capacity is up to 4.3 litres, and on twin SU HD8s it’s making around 260hp. There’s an aluminium radiator with built in oil-cooler and an electric fan.
Other key engineering upgrades include a 5-speed gearbox, and an electrically-assisted power steering sytem designed by CMC. They also did the bespoke petrol tank (with Le Mans style fuel filler), and redesigned the suspension at both ends.

Other modern touches include a fully programmed electronic ignition system, automatic choke, 90amp alternator, central locking, intermittent windscreen wipers and DLRs. There’s additional heat and sound insulation in the cabin, and the heating/ventilations system has been upgraded too.

So do you like it? If so, you’re in luck. Ian tells us that CMC intends to roll out a limited production run of around ten cars in response to customer interest – all of which rather explains the PR kerfuffle around the car’s reveal, which featured appearances by the legendary John Surtees and inimitable Norman Dewis.  “I think around ten are going to be built,” says Ian. “Customers will be able to spec’ the cars up however they want.”

We can’t reveal is the price, as we’ve been asked to keep schtum. Suffice to say it’s a lot more than an F-Type R, and a lot less than one of these…