The Forgotten Race Team Lister Certainly Have High Hopes For The Thunder
Lister, it’s not a name you hear often anymore, the once famous racing name is one many young people wouldn’t even recognise these days let alone name one of their cars. But back in the day Lister were an incredibly talented underdog team that even managed to win the FIA World GT championship in the year 2000 with the impressive Lister Storm. But their history goes back much further than that. Back in the 50’s Lister found success with the Lister-Jaguar Knobbly sports car driven by the legendary Sir Stirling Moss.
So Much More Than Just A Modified F-type, A Legendary Name Returning
But why are we talking about Lister now, well Lister is making a surprise comeback, the long dormant brand has announced a new car, the Lister Thunder. The most obvious thing you’ll see is that it’s a Jaguar F-Type but the British engineers at Lister have gone through the standard F-Type and upgraded most of it.
Powering the Lister Thunder is a 5.0 litre V8 engine with a ‘devilish’ 666BHP and 719lb-ft of torque. The Lister Thunder has a 0-62 time of just 3.1 seconds, beating the next best F-Type (the SVR) by just over half a second and can go onto a top speed of 208MPH making it the fastest production Lister ever.
The CEO Certainly Has High Hopes For The Company
Whilst the Lister Thunder and the Lister Motor company aren’t directly affiliated with Jaguar, CEO of Lister Lawrence Whittaker is keen to continue the 65 years of history between the two companies, saying: “Like Brabus and AMG 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.”
The Lister Team Have Gone Over The Entire Car Improving Whenever Possible
As well as the performance upgrade to the F-Type Lister have also gone over the interior creating a fully custom creation, finished in the UK’s most expensive ‘Bridge of Weir Nappa Leather’ which will be available in 36 colours. The leather interior is complemented with the Lister logo stitched into the headrests matching the contrast stitching across the seats, dash and roof lining.
The exterior also receives the Lister treatment with a full carbon fibre body kit (Which is also available for standard F-Types at a price of £19,950) the rear bumper houses the larger carbon exhaust tips that give the Thunder its trademark thunderous soundtrack.
A solid brass Lister badge is mounted to the rear spoiler with a second green and yellow badge adorning the custom grill, which matches the interior stitching. A full carbon fibre bonnet is also available as an option.
You might be interested in our Jaguar wallpaper, take a look.
The Lister Thunder is already a success for the small British manufacturer
Lister have received amazing feedback with 22 of the 99 Lister Thunders to be built being sold within just 24 hours, generating over £3.1 million for the small British company. CEO Whittaker was clearly taken aback by the reception of the new Lister Thunder, saying “I am delighted, overwhelmed and gratified by the huge level of interest and excitement the Thunder has already generated.
Following the release of the Thunder prototype, the number of phone calls and email enquiries has been bonkers!” The £139,950 Lister Thunders success is a great starting point for the small British firm. Lister now needs to capitalize on that success with more modified Jaguars or even their own car.
Personally I feel the XK has been long neglected by Jaguar and could do with a little boost as it appears to have been replaced by the F-Type but there is clearly life in the old dog yet.
See The Lister Thunder In Action With Tiff Needell Behind The Wheel Below
What do you think of the new Lister Thunder, let us know in the comments.
