JCB Dieselmax Attempts to Break Diesel Land Speed Record

Press Release

The JCB DIESELMAX will be given its world public debut at two of this summer's premier automotive events.

The striking streamliner will make its first appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed (7-9 July) and, later in same month, will be topping a special SuperCar Paddock at the new-look British International Motor Show staged at ExCeL in London (20-30 July).

"Ever since we announced the JCB DIESELMAX at the end of April, we've been bowled over by the huge interest in the project," says Dr Tim Leverton, JCB Group Engineering Director. "By showcasing the JCB DIESELMAX at Goodwood and the Motor Show, more than half a million people will be able to see the car just weeks before we set off to the States to make the record attempt."

The evocative Goodwood Festival of Speed is an appropriate launch pad for an all-British car, which will be attempting to establish a new land speed record for diesel vehicles at the famous Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah during August. Driven by Wing Commander Andy Green, the fastest man on Earth, and powered by two twin-turbocharged JCB444 engines, the JCB DIESELMAX is targeting speeds of more than 300mph, well in excess of the current world record of 235.756mph set in 1973 by American Virgil Snyder's Thermo King Streamliner.

The Earl of March, founder of the celebrated Goodwood Festival of Speed, the world's greatest celebration of the history of motor sport, says, "I am absolutely delighted that JCB has chosen to display its inspired Dieselmax diesel-powered land speed record car at this year's Festival."

Lord March continues, "It's fabulous that JCB has planned and built such an exciting project which is a tribute to British engineering, and I wish Andy Green, and everyone involved in the project at JCB, the very best of luck in bringing home another land speed record for Great Britain."

Coming during the final run-up to the record attempt at Bonneville, the British International Motor Show will provide the perfect public send-off the JCB team. The 9.1-metre long JCB DIESELMAX streamliner is taking pole position on a special show stand dedicated to more than 20 of the world's greatest cars.

"The SuperCar Paddock will be one of the many major highlights we are organising to celebrate the British International Motor Show's return to London," confirms Kirsty Adams, the event's Marketing Director. "The presence of the amazing JCB DIESELMAX alongside a mouth-watering array of Aston Martins, Ferraris, Porsches and other exotica is sure to be a popular drawcard for all of those visiting the show."

The JCB DIESELMAX is powered by two JCB444 diesel engines which have been developed in conjunction with Ricardo to produce 750bhp each and torque of 1500 Nm, providing over five times the power of the production version; with 150bhp/litre, the JCB444-LSR engine is the world's highest specific power diesel car engine.

For more info: www.jcbdieselmax.com