The 8km Circuit de Charade in Clermont Ferrand, which included public road sections, hosted the French Grand Prix in 1965, 1969, 1970 and 1972. It fell out of favour as loose volcanic rock spilling onto the track and the lack of any safety run-off areas took their toll on both competing cars and drivers. The full, longer circuit was last used in 1988, which encouraged Jaguar to return to the historic venue to mark both the anniversary of its closure and to complete the first flying lap of the circuit in three decades.
After completing the fastest ever lap of the Nürburgring Nordschleife in a production saloon, behind the wheel of the XE’s track-ready stablemate, the SV Project 8, driver Vincent Radermecker attempted to set a production saloon lap record in the XE 300 Sport. With a roundabout and two narrow gateways not forming elements of the original circuit to contend with, Vincent circulated the demanding track in just 4mins 09s, at an average speed of 116km/h (72mph).
Vincent Radermecker said: “I set the production saloon record at the Nürburgring in the XE SV Project 8 last year and this lap was every bit as demanding. The agility, dynamic handling and all-wheel drive traction of the XE 300 Sport came into its own on this challenging track. The longest straight is barely 600m, so I can see why drivers used to call this the French Nürburgring. It’s a privilege to drive this track and it’s really special to drive here with Jaguar.”
The XE 300 Sport is powered by a 296bhp 2.0-litre Ingenium turbo-petrol engine and is capable of 0-60mph in 5.4s. With 295lbs ft of torque on tap, Vincent was able to make full use of the XE’s first-rate handling capabilities to exploit the smallest of opportunities around the twisty, undulating track, which snakes around the extinct volcano that sits in the centre of the original circuit layout.
Mike Cross, Jaguar Land Rover Chief Engineer, said: “The XE features a lightweight, stiff Aluminium-intensive Architecture and sophisticated integral-link rear suspension, making it one of the best driver’s cars in its class. Following the XE SV Project 8’s record-setting lap at the Nürburgring, for the 300 SPORT to set a record on this fast, flowing and demanding circuit demonstrates that these are two cars sharing the same DNA.”
All 300 Sport models feature unique Dark Satin Grey details that include the door mirror caps, rear spoiler and grille surround, along with 300 Sport badging on the front grille and boot lid. Distinctive 19.0, or 20.0-inch diameter Satin Technical Grey finish wheels are exclusive to the special edition along with 300 Sport-branded brake callipers. Customers can choose from four exterior colours: Yulong White, Indus Silver, Santorini Black and Caldera Red.
The Jaguar XE starts from £31,505 in the UK, prior to FCD discounts being applied, and models are available with a range of clean and efficient diesel and petrol engines. Jaguar worked closely with the track owners and local authorities to re-establish the original Circuit de Charade layout for the 300 Sport’s flying lap, by reopening sections linking today’s track with the public roads that make up the daunting original.
Watch the full lap here:
