Thursday, March 26, 2015

  Longest high-wire water crossing: Jaguar XF sets world record (VIDEO)

LONDON, UK -- Jaguar has revealed the all-new XF in a promotional tease ahead of its official New York Auto Show debut; the car was suspended about the Thames River in London and driven across on a high wire; only two 34mm carbon wires, suspended 18 metres above water, supported the vehicle; the 240 metre journey sets the new world record for the longest high-wire water crossing, according to the World Record Academy .

  Photo: Commuters in the heart of London's business district were stopped in their tracks this morning as the all-new Jaguar XF seemingly achieved the impossible and performed the world's longest hire-wire water crossing. Jaguar's newest saloon demonstrated its poise, agility and dramatic good looks as London's business community watched in awe. The new XF made a careful journey across two, three centimetre thin wires suspended high above the waters of Canary Wharf. ( enlarge photo )

The Guinness World Records' record for the largest parade of Jaguar cars is 767, and was organised by Silverstone Classic, Towcester, Northamptonshire (UK), on 23 July 2011. The parade of E-Type Jaguar cars was held in celebration of the car's 50th anniversary.

  Guinness World Records also recognized the world record for the largest simultaneous car tyre burn-out; it involved 103 cars in an event organised by Street Machine Summernats at the Street Machine Summernats 28 event in Canberra, Australia, on 1 January 2015.

   Commuters in the heart of London's business district were stopped in their tracks as the all-new Jaguar XF seemingly achieved the impossible and performed the world's longest hire-wire water crossing.

   Jaguar's newest saloon demonstrated its poise, agility and dramatic good looks as London's business community watched in awe.

   The new XF made a careful journey across two, three centimetre thin wires suspended high above the waters of Canary Wharf.

   Meteorological experts and structural engineers were on hand to determine precise drive conditions, based on comprehensive crosswind analysis.

   As a contingency, top stunt man Jim Dowdall was rigged up with abseil equipment, a cherry picker crane was on hand and a RIB safety speedboat waited on the banks.

   The sky-high tightrope journey showcased the XF's lightweight credentials – its new aluminium body means it is 80kg lighter than its nearest competitor and 190kgs lighter than its predecessor.