What's all this about?
Those of you with an interest in motorsport or a keen passion for motoring history might recall the Cambridgeshire-based Lister Motor Company, a 65-year-old outfit with a long affiliation with Jaguar. Well, in 2013, Lawrence Whittaker - the boss of after-sales warranty cover provider Warrantywise - forked out to save the company from oblivion, and now Lister is ready to release its first new car since the Storm of 1993. The racing version of which won the FIA World GT Championship in 2000.
And what is the new car called?
It's called the Lister Thunder (get the link to the old Storm, eh?!) and it's based on a Jaguar F-Type. Just 99 examples of the Thunder will be built, featuring bespoke Lister exterior and interior treatment, and each one will cost at least £139,950.
Crikey! That's pricey! Why so much?
Well, apart from the hallowed Lister name, the limited run of examples and the hand-crafted aesthetics, the Thunder has a tuned version of the F-Type SVR's supercharged 5.0-litre V8. It delivers 675hp, which is 100hp more than the SVR, and also rather neatly, a 'devilish' 666bhp. The Thunder can crack 0-62mph in a little over three seconds, will tick off 0-100mph in 6.8 seconds and eventually top out at a ferocious 208mph. Full technical details on the Thunder are being withheld until its official unveiling at the Historic Motorsport International show, which is being held at London's ExCel venue in mid-February.
What is the aim of this Lister revival?
Lawrence Whittaker, who is now the CEO and owner of Lister following his 2013 rescue bid, said: "Like Brabus with Mercedes and Alpina with BMW, we are hoping to become synonymous once again with tuning Jaguar vehicles, giving customers new enhanced, bespoke performance and design alternatives to Jaguar's acclaimed model programme. Although we are not directly affiliated with Jaguar Land Rover, Lister has a Jaguar tuning heritage dating back 65 years. Our new Lister Thunder is the fastest and most powerful Lister ever created with a 208mph top speed and 0-100mph time of just 6.8 seconds. I am utterly proud of what we have achieved, and the Thunder is just the beginning!"
Anything else?
You can watch a short video of the Lister Thunder, presented by former Lister Storm racing driver Tiff Needell, right here.
Matt Robinson - 31 Jan 2018