During 1958 Jaguar started to experiment with what will become known as active ground effect - the idea of mechanically lowering the air pressure below a vehicle to improve traction.
A 1954 short nose D-type was chosen as the donor car. The update involved a brand new suspension setup, a custom aluminum underbody, an extractor fan powered by a second electric motor.
Keeping the car close to the ground was absolute priority. The ride was lowered so that the aluminum skirts would braze the tarmac; suspensions had to be stiffened as much as possible to avoid contact.
Being capable of significant higher speeds on practically every type of corner, the car slashed the D-type reference lap times, beating them by several seconds.
The field tests also revealed the major issue the would ultimately kill the project: the terrible unpredictability of the car. The stiff setup meant that curbs and other irregularities could lift the body, causing an immediate increase of pressure and an instantaneous loss of traction.
The abrupt behavior, united to the round, green shape, earned it the nickname Snapping Turtle.
This is the second entry of my mini series on fictional one off cars.
Made with love in Blender, Cycles, Substance Painter and PS.
Made with love in Blender, Cycles, Substance Painter and PS.
