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Jaguar F-Type convertible rally car might be the coolest F-Type ever

The Jaguar F-Type is a sweet sports car. Rally cars are awesome. Put the two together, and you have one seriously cool ride, which is exactly what Jaguar did. The company took two F-Type convertibles and turned them into rally-ready race cars. They're built to commemorate a 1948 XK 120 that took home several European rally victories, and they share some of the visual tweaks of the Checkered Flag Edition F-Type. These custom Jags likely won't see serious competition, but they're certainly built to handle it. They have FIA-certified roll cages, racing seats, harnesses and a fire extinguisher. The suspension features three-way adjustable rally shocks and soft springs for rough roads and, as shown above, jumps. Brakes are upgraded with slotted rotors and four-piston calipers at all four corners. There's a hydraulic handbrake and a limited-slip differential that should make sliding around corners much easier. Interestingly, these F-Types use the entry-level turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The engines also haven't been upgraded at all, so they make the standard 296 horsepower. As such, this F-Type is only in the running for being the coolest version ever, rather than running away with such a commendation. Sadly, it appears Jaguar will only ever build these two examples. But we bet that someone could replicate one without too much difficulty. That someone could perhaps even start with a V6 or V8 convertible, giving it more power and a way better sound to enjoy through that open-air roll cage. Related Video:

Jaguar F-Type to pace Bloodhound SSC as rapid response vehicle

The Bloodhound SSC is out to beat the world land speed record, but it can't do it all on its own. The team is going to need a motorcade of support vehicles, like this specially equipped Jaguar F-Type. Outfitted by JLR Special Vehicle Operations with radio equipment and a unique livery, the Bloodhound SSC rapid response vehicle is based on the latest F-Type R AWD coupe. It'll serve a similar role that a pace or safety car does for a race, and be called into service in case of a high-speed emergency. The Bloodhound SSC itself will likewise be equipped with the same 5.0-liter supercharged V8, its 542 horses powering the jet-car's hydraulic system and oxidizer pump. The special F-Type will mark its debut at the Coventry MotoFest later this month (appearing again at Goodwood next month) alongside a '56 Long-Nose D-Type, the one-of-a-kind '66 XJ13, a '76 Broadspeed XJ12 Coupe, and the XJR-9 that won Le Mans in 1988. JAGUAR TO DEBUT BLOODHOUND F-TYPE RAPID RESPONSE VEHICLE AT COVENTRY MOTOFEST - World debut of Jaguar F-TYPE R AWD Bloodhound SSC Rapid Response Vehicle (RRV) at Coventry MotoFest (30/31 May) - Jaguar's 5.0-litre supercharged V8 550 PS sports car will support Bloodhound SSC World Land Speed Record attempt - Jaguar will be at the heart of Bloodhound SSC providing its 5.0-litre 550PS supercharged V8 engine to provide hydraulic services to the car and drive the rocket's oxidiser pump - Jaguar also previewing Goodwood Festival of Speed activity at MotoFest with a host of iconic heritage cars (Whitley, Coventry – 20 May 2015). Jaguar will unveil the F-TYPE R AWD Bloodhound SSC RRV at Coventry MotoFest – one of the cars that will support the Bloodhound world land speed record attempt. The Bloodhound F-TYPE R is the latest project of Jaguar Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations and is wrapped in a bespoke livery created by Jaguar Design incorporating the Bloodhound SSC colours. This year's MotorFest promises to be bigger than ever with a range of attractions and gigs. The organisers close off the Coventry ring road to public traffic in order to host a number of motorsport activities and the Bloodhound F-TYPE will be taking part in laps on Saturday May 30 and Sunday May 31. Jaguar will also be previewing its activities at the 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed – the theme of which this year is 'Flat Out and Fearless: Racing on the Edge' - by bringing along some of the most iconic cars from its rich heritage.

Top torque-to-weight ratios under $100k, $50k and $25k

Horsepower may steal a lot of headlines, but the always-more-complex torque figure is often a critical one for both the workingman and the motoring playboy. The measure of rotational force represents the twist that can liquefy one's tires or haul one's horse trailer. Good stuff.
It follows then, that as with the horsepower-to-weight list that we assembled for you a few months ago, a list of cars that offer the most pound-feet with the fewest pounds to carry, is an interesting one to break down. Sure, there's a big difference in how the torque is applied from a turbocharged six-cylinder in a Swedish luxury sedan and a massive heavy-duty truck's turbo-diesel. But being the car/stat geeks that we are, we think it's kinda neat that those two vehicles rank near each other where torque and weight intersect.
As with the horsepower list, we've given you figures as pounds per every one pound-foot. Again broken down into broad price categories, we've got a mixed bag of 2014 and 2015 models here, too. Every effort has been made to select the most up-to-date prices and specs, and we've also to omitted some '14 cars that won't be re-upped after the ongoing yearly changeover.