Hypercar

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Jaguar to feature at WIRED2015

Jaguar has confirmed it will showcase its technologically-advanced XF saloon car at WIRED2015.

WIRED magazine's annual two-day flagship event brings the WIRED world to life, and is recognised as the multimedia authority on the future, in print and digital. The XF will be joined by the C-X75 concept hypercar, shown for the first time in the UK - which features in the new Bond adventure, SPECTRE.

Senior Jaguar executives Kevin Stride (XF Vehicle Line Director), Adam Hatton (Creative Director, Jaguar Exterior Design), Alister Whelan (Creative Director, Jaguar Interior Design) and Peter Virk (Head of Connected Technologies and Apps) will support the presentation of the all-new XF at WIRED. Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) will also offer exclusive workshop sessions at the WIRED conference.

The appearance of the new XF will focus on the car's 'inherently innovative' technologies including InControl Touch Pro (offering door-to-door navigation, iOS and Android connectivity and Meridian digital surround sound), Jaguar Configurable Dynamics, All-Surface Progress Control (enabling smooth, drive-away on low friction surfaces such as snow and ice), laser head-up display, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise-control with queue-assist, lane keep-assist, intelligent speed limiter and semi-automated parking.

Chaired by WIRED UK Deputy Editor, Greg Williams, and supported by additional speakers from WIRED2015, two 30 minute thought-leadership sessions will cover topics designed to stimulate discussion and debate by experts in their field. The first session is scheduled for Thursday 15th: 'Humanity in the digital age', with the second scheduled for Friday 16th: 'Integrated innovation: Car design and Engineering'. Both sessions will be filmed and published by Jaguar and WIRED at the event.

In addition, Jaguar Land Rover will show some of the company's future technologies and research projects, including: Mind Sense - Jaguar's research project to see if a car could effectively read the brainwaves and monitor if the driver is alert and concentrating on driving. The most common method for monitoring brainwaves is close to the source using sensors attached to a headband, to circumvent this requirement, Jaguar Land Rover is investigating methods in use by NASA and the US bobsleigh team to develop pilots' concentration and focus. Mind Sense will detect brainwaves through the hands via sensors embedded in the steering wheel, with software adopted to amplify the signal and filter out the pure brainwave from any background noise between the driver's head and the wheel. If brain activity indicates a day dream or poor concentration, the steering wheel or pedals will vibrate to raise the driver's awareness to the lapse. User trials are underway, supported by leading neuroscientists to verify the results.

JLR is also researching how a car could heat or cool an 'air bubble' inside the vehicle, and maintain temperature and air quality using innovative new heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) technologies.

Cargo Sense is an idea for a trailer monitoring system designed to optimise cargo loading for safer towing. As well as helping users load cargo evenly and efficiently, the pressure sensitive mat would detect if a load, be it solid (boxes, furniture, car) or alive (horse), is moving around in an unexpected or abnormal way whilst traveling. The project includes the development of an App that allows drivers to monitor the status of a trailer and its cargo remotely via smartphone.

WIRED2015 takes place from 15 - 16 October at Tobacco Dock, London E1.

Hypercar, News

Spanish exotica set for Salon Prive

Two exotic Spanish hypercars are to make their debuts at this year's Salon Prive (3-5 September) at its new home of Blenheim Palace.

Bespoke car manufacturer Tramontana will launch its hypercar, Tramontana R. A choice of two engines - a V12 Twin Turbo or a V10 - provide two performance options, and each car is an individually commissioned to a client's requirements. The Tramontana incorporates the latest motorsport derived technology available and is hand built by craftsmen to an exacting standard.

Founded in 1994, Spanish firm Spania GTA gained a wealth of experience in motorsport before manufacturing the GTA Spano. With its own new V10 twin Turbo engine, producing 925hp and 1220Nm torque, it accelerates from 0-62mph in 2.9 seconds and has a top speed of over 230mph.

With a limited production of 99 vehicles, it features a newly-designed sequential seven-speed gearbox and Spania GTA has developed a new carbon monocoque chassis. Unique among super-sportcar manufacturers, it employs materials such as titanium, graphene, and Kevlar for exceptional rigidity and lightness.

Salon Prive managing director Andrew Bagley commented: "We're incredibly excited to host these Spanish hypercars at this year's event, which will inevitably draw plenty of attention from visitors. The fact that Tramontana and Spania GTA have chosen Salon Prive to showcase their models is testament to the influence of Salon Prive as a leading luxury and automotive event."