New film previews the "Perfect Ten" By Jaguar as selected by Lord March, Brian Johnson and Ian Callum, for new Jaguar XE launch

5 September 2014

Jaguar, XE, Ian Callum

  • The 'Perfect Ten' models from the brand's rich heritage have been chosen to celebrate the global launch of the new Jaguar XE model at Earls Court, London
  • The 'Perfect Ten' is made up of the most important and iconic Jaguar cars selected by an expert trio of knowledgeable enthusiasts; Lord March of Goodwood, Brian Johnson of rock band AC/DC, and Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar Cars
  • All 'Perfect Ten' cars will be presented at the world premiere of the Jaguar XE at Earls Court on September 8
  • The 'Perfect Ten' film is available to view here

(WHITLEY, U.K.) ‑ September 4, 2014  ‑  The world debut of the new Jaguar XE at Earls Court, London, will be supported by a specially commissioned film and display of what a trio of notable motoring enthusiasts and experts consider to be the 'Perfect Ten' of Jaguar's rich and diverse brand heritage.

Accompanying the important new XE model will be a film and display of the 'Perfect Ten' Jaguars, spanning the decades, from the celebrated SS100 of the 1930s, through to the legendary C, D and E‑types of the 1950s and 60s, and on to the Le Mans‑winning XJR‑9 of 1988.

This 'Perfect Ten' of these past glories has been carefully chosen to help celebrate the launch of the new Jaguar XE model by a trio of well‑known and acknowledged motoring enthusiasts, consisting of AC/DC lead singer and car enthusiast Brian Johnson; the founder of Goodwood Festival of Speed and Revival, Lord March, and Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar Cars. Jaguar produced a film that shows how the trio came to their 'Perfect Ten' here.

This proud parade of the history of Jaguar is represented in the film by significant examples of well‑known and popular Jaguar models; as follows:

  1. SS100:  Jaguar's first 100mph production car.
  2. XK120 ‑ registration NUB 120:  Perhaps the most famous XK120 in the world. Driven by Ian Appleyard and Pat Lyons (daughter of Sir William Lyons) to numerous rally wins in the 1950s, including the Alpine Rallye des Alpes in 1950 and 1951.
  3. C‑type, registration NDU 289:  Original entry in the 1953 Mille Miglia, and one of just 54 cars built.
  4. D‑type, registration 393 RW:  This penultimate D‑type won the 12 hours race at Reims driven, by Hamilton and Bueb, and was sixth at Le Mans with the same driver pairing.
  5. MK II:  A great example of the legendary sporting saloon for which Jaguar has become globally renowned, and the genesis of the brand‑new XE.
  6. E‑type, registration77 RW: The Jaguar 'Works' press car, famously driven overnight by Norman Dewis to Geneva for its Motor Show debut to great fanfare. This was the first production Jaguar to reach 150 mph, and is the earliest surviving E‑type Roadster
  7. XJ13:  Only one example of this car was built, being the first Jaguar to use the V12 engine.  The XJ13 was built for ‑ but never raced at ‑ Le Mans, and was designed by Malcolm Sayer.
  8. XJ6 S1: Car of the Year when launched in 1968, this particular XJ6 was Sir William Lyons' personal car.
  9. TWR XJS: Tom Walkinshaw was very successful in motorsport for Jaguar in the 1980s and returned Jaguar to the podium with the racing version of the legendary XJS winning the European Touring Car Championship.
  10. XJR‑9. Tom Walkinshaw won Le Mans in 1988 with this very car, in one of Jaguar's seven victories in the famous endurance race. 

Commenting on his perfect Jaguar, Lord March said, "For me it has to be the D‑type.  Way ahead of its time, the D‑type looks as good today as it did when it was first revealed 60 years ago, and I really can't wait to see a grid full of D‑types racing at this year's Goodwood Revival in mid‑September to mark this landmark anniversary in style." 

Brian Johnson, the AC/DC singer commented, "The Jaguar C‑type takes some beating for me.  Its purity and speed are exceptional today and must have been simply mind‑boggling in the early 1950s!"

Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar Cars agrees, "The shape of the C‑type has a simplicity and purity that have rarely been bettered, and have helped form the beauty and elegance of some many subsequent Jaguar models.  It's a gem."

#  #  #


About Jaguar
Jaguar is a premier manufacturer of luxury sedans and sports cars offering unparalleled design with tremendous performance. The company's vision throughout its storied history has been simple: To produce beautiful, fast cars that are desired the world over. Jaguar strives to provide a world class ownership experience to every owner. Today's Jaguar lineup consists of the XJ luxury sedan, XF sports sedan, the XK Coupe and Convertible sports cars and the two‑seater F‑TYPE. Jaguar designs, engineers and manufactures exclusively in the United Kingdom, at the Castle Bromwich manufacturing plant in the British Midlands. Jaguar is fully engaged with sustainability initiatives and social concerns with continuous involvement in environmental and community programs. For more information visit the official Jaguar website at http://www.jaguarusa.com.

About Jaguar Land Rover
• The United States is one of the leading global markets for both Jaguar and Land Rover
• Jaguar Land Rover employs 25,000 people and sells vehicles in 170 countries around the world
• Jaguar Land Rover has two state of the art engineering and design facilities and three advanced manufacturing plants in the UK
• Headquartered in Mahwah, New Jersey in the United States, Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC has offices across the USA
• Jaguar Land Rover is represented by more than 330 independently operated retail outletsin the USA