Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Eagle Lightweight GT, the modern reinterpretation of the Jaguar Lightweight E-Type

In 2011, Eagle launched the Speedster Lightweight model. It is a modern version of the Jaguar E-Type, where they kept the classic shapes as much as possible but updated everything else. In 2016, Spyder GT was introduced, and now it’s time for the Lightweight GT, which is a tribute to the twelve Jaguar Lightweight E-Type cars that were racing for a long time. The Eagle Lightweight GT is the ultimate road-going evolution of one of the world’s rarest and most beautiful race cars.

The factory Lightweight was a stripped-out racer. We wanted to retain that special feel of a 60s competition car from an incredible era in British motorsport, but with the comfort, refinement, and reliability that would make it an exhilarating daily driver or long-distance GT,” says Henry Pearman, the founder of Eagle.

The lavishly converted Eagle Lightweight GT is expected to drive 275 km/h quickly.
The lavishly converted Eagle Lightweight GT is expected to drive 275 km/h quickly.
Credits: Eagle

The impressive thing is that in order to complete all the work for a single unit, it took more than 8,000 hours of work.

The original Jaguar E-Type Series 1 has been completely stripped and rebuilt with new, hand-made aluminum body panels. There have been minor changes to the design, while Eagle has also expanded the wheel arches to allow the model to be equipped with 16-inch wheels. In total, all the modifications of the body took about 2,500 hours to complete, and according to the people of the brand, they have contributed to the improvement of the rigidity but also to the lowering of the center of gravity of the model.

The in-line six-cylinder with its 4.7-liter displacement develops 380 hp.
The in-line six-cylinder with its 4.7-liter displacement develops 380 hp.
Credits: Eagle

The Eagle E-Type Lightweight GT is powered by a 6-cylinder in-line 4.7-liter engine, which is an evolution of the 4.2-liter engine used by the Jaguar C and D-Type of the 1950s and 1960s. Peak power of 380 bhp arrives at 5,750 rpm and the maximum torque of 375 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm. The gearbox has been upgraded to a carefully redesigned five-speed manual transmission unit that drives the rear wheels.

The Lightweight GT can accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in about five seconds, and the top speed for those who dare is set to 275 km/h (170 mph). The original Lightweight only managed 259 km/h.

The interior of the Lightweight GT offers significantly more amenities than the historical original.
The interior of the Lightweight GT offers significantly more amenities than the historical original.
Credits: Eagle

Inside, the passengers will find air conditioning, insulated interior, seat adjustments, leather upholstery, while a new suspension with triangular links in combination with adjustable ensures long distances can be completed in refreshing comfort. In addition, Eagle uses magnesium and titanium in several places to push the weight.

Through the aforementioned changes and many more, the model weighs only 1,017 kilograms, which gives it a power-to-weight ratio of about 374 horsepower per tonne. Although the prototype is a racing car, the street-legal reinterpretation should also be used as an everyday car.

The Lightweight GT is said to weigh just over 1,000 kilograms.
The Lightweight GT is said to weigh just over 1,000 kilograms.
Credits: Eagle

Eagle said it will only create two units of the model each year. Eagle does not mention prices for the Lightweight GT, which has also been extensively renovated in the interior. Past conversion projects by the E-Type specialists have always been in high six-figures.