Learn How Jaguar's Newest Crossover Did a Barrel Roll

The new Jaguar E-Pace made its debut earlier this month and the British automaker did a crazy stunt to help welcome it into the world.

Jaguar decided to set a Guinness World Record for the furthest barrel roll in a production vehicle, a stunt that was six months in the making. In preparing for the record-setting attempt, the Jaguar E-Pace withstood 33 test jumps with only minor safety modifications, including a roll cage. The company has released a behind-the-scenes documentary on the stunt, which you can watch above.

A total of 756 hours of engineering simulation time was conducted in preparation for the stunt, with the crossover launching into the air while traveling 42 mph. Jaguar said there was less than a 0.4-inch (10-millimeter) margin for error, which is incredible when you consider the jump was 55 feet (15 meters) in length.

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Behind the wheel for the official attempt was Terry Grant, a stunt driver who currently holds 21 different Guinness World Records titles. While in the air, the E-Pace rotated 180 degrees a second, for a total rotation of 270 degrees in 1.5 seconds. Grant experienced up to 5.5 Gs of G-force, more than a Formula 1 race car.

“As far as I am aware, no production car has ever cleanly completed a bonafide barrel roll and therefore it has always been an ambition of mine to perform one ever since I was a boy,” said stunt driver Terry Grant. “After driving the Jaguar F-Pace in the record-breaking loop-the-loop, it has been amazing to help launch the next chapter of the Pace family in an even more dramatic dynamic feat.”

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