Monday 10th February 2014

David Brown Automotive - more details

'Project Judi' to bring sexy back with 510hp supercharged Jag XKR underpinnings

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We guessed right! When we first talked with David Brown of David Brown Automotive he wouldn't tell us exactly what would underpin the 'Project Judi' coupe he'll be handbuilding to order in the not too distant future. We said Jaguar XK and a press release just issued says ... Jaguar XK! Specifically an 'optimised' XKR with 510hp from its supercharged V8, a six-speed auto, sub-five to 60 (0-62 in 4.8, 60 in 4.6 for you retro diehards) and a top speed limited to 155mph.

'Brisk yet refined' is the official description of the performance, David Brown Automotive's press release going on to praise the proven performance and reliability of the Jaguar underpinnings and the aluminium construction to match that of the Project Judi. "The XKR has been extensively developed and refined by one of the world's greatest car manufacturers, making it an obvious choice on which to base our car," says a deferential Brown.

Rear has a bit of Aston and a hint of Alfa 8C

And on top goes his own brand of hand crafted style, which as previously stated harks back to the voluptuous curves of 60s British coupes. "I wanted all the impact and style of a classic sports car, but with modern capabilities and conveniences. This is what I want in a car, but it's not something anyone really offers. So, I've created it myself."

The teaser pics offered up with the new press release are, well, teasing. But the light/grille detail would appear to have more than a whiff of the DB5 Brown owns himself while the circular rear light and Kamm-tailed kick to the bootlid continue the vibe, finished off with some neat looking chrome detailing.

More when we have it and the best of British to him. And the chaps wishing to revive TVR, whose job of creating a niche for limited production brutish British coupes just got even harder. Again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[crofty1984]

Are they all the pictures we get?

[P4ROT]

If done correctly it will sell v well I'm sure, but whether it'll meet singers, eagles etc in terms of quality is yet to be known (especially so, when you consider the fail:success ratio in this sector of the industry!)

[HeMightBeBanned]

So it's a(nother) pastiche of a 1960s British GT / sports car on modern internals? How will this succeed where Weismann failed?

[steviegunn]

Front looks like a modern take on a DB5.

[AstroMonkey]

steviegunn said:

Front looks like a modern take on a DB5.

My thoughts exactly. Should be a good thing! I'm picturing it looking something like an Eagle low drag GT but with a longer cabin, shorter bonnet and different lights.

[FWDRacer]

This will be appallingly kitsch

[LHD]

Ahem:

[Wilko74]

Nice.

[B17NNS]

Tedious. Just show us a picture already.

[MyCC]

Having just had an XKR for a week, it's already a fantastic looking car but this looks like an intriguing prospect. Look forward to hearing more.

Regards,

MyCC.

[DonkeyApple]

B17NNS said:

Tedious. Just show us a picture already.

Don't jump the gun. It's all part of the hugely exciting build up to when they reveal the whole car and we tell them that we don't like the wheels.

[samoht]

I don't think this is a rival to a potential resurrected TVR, these cars will be much heavier and more expensive than TVRs due to adopting the Jaguar underpinnings. Think > £100k and 1.5 tonnes. Different market, really.

[Bencolem]

Lyonheart?

[Fantuzzi]

I don't think I will be a fan, retro designs can be ok, the HB COUPE looked rather good, but that was more of a throw back in terms of its style rather than the detail.

Even from the teaser pictures the chrome puts me off, just looks silly in 2014 to these eyes.

I will happily eat my words though!

[Willy Nilly]

crofty1984 said:

Are they all the pictures we get?

No, enjoy

[Stick Legs]

LHD said:

Ahem:

Is this from SniffPetrol?

seen it before but it gets no less funny. Thanks for posting it, gave me a chuckle!

[dandare]

HeMightBeBanned said:

So it's a(nother) pastiche of a 1960s British GT / sports car on modern internals? How will this succeed where Weismann failed?

Well for a start it may not have piss-poor dashboard styling that wouldn't look out of place in an eighties kit car like the Wiesmanns do/did.

Secondly, it may not be a mish-mash of UK sixties sports car styling that doesn't quite fit together, à la Wiesmann.

Thirdly, we don't know DB's business model. How many he has to sell to become a success, or even if he really wants to make loads of cash from the project. After all he may actually like running such a project almost for the fun of it.
I'd rather do that than flip burgers for the same money.

• I do like the Wiesmanns though, but I think a well sorted (i.e. reliable) TVR has much more original styling, is cheaper, and is more desirable.

[oilit]

and TVR have managed even less - just a union jack with a few words on their website - and that's been around for must be a year !

[bobberz]

Stick Legs said:

LHD said:

Ahem:

Is this from SniffPetrol?

seen it before but it gets no less funny. Thanks for posting it, gave me a chuckle!

It's got to be! Cynical but hilarious! Enjoyed reading that.

As to the OP, I'm very intrigued by this. Probably will be gorgeous; definitely will cost more than my house! A guy named David Brown building a car that looks like a DB5... I wonder what Aston Martin have to say about this?

Actually, given the Kamm tail, wouldn't DB6 be a more appropriate reference?

[B17NNS]

oilit said:

and TVR have managed even less

To be fair we have no idea what TVR have accomplished so far. I'd imagine these things take lots and lots of time.

Who knows, perhaps they want to design, engineer and test the product before selling it this time round