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To reveal a new car many executives will deliver a presentation, possibly show a short video and then drive the car out onto a stage in front of journalists. Jaguar is doing things a bit differently with its new XF sedan. The company had its car perform the world's longest high-wire water crossing for a car in the heart of London's business district Tuesday. Hollywood stunt driver Jim Dowdall drove the XF 240 metres across two 28 mm carbon wires, which were suspended 18 metres above the River Thames. The drive across the river took three minutes. "I've been very lucky to drive cars into very silly situation, that's probably one of the silliest," said Dowdall after the stunt. He said the team spent six months planning the event and the scariest part was when he was in the middle of the wire and had to start driving slightly uphill. "Over my 35 years in the industry I've driven Jaguar vehicles on many Hollywood movie sets," said Dowdall in a statement. "However, the biggest test for me on this stunt was the unpredictability of the elements. Potential oscillation in the high-wires from wind speeds meant it added a real challenge. The wires are only 34 mm in diameter so the journey required absolute precision, balance and control." On Monday, the crew was practising with the car covered in a black tarp. The stunt clearly looks like it could be a set for a James Bond movie and fittingly Dowdall has driven vehicles in James Bond movies as well as the Bourne series and Indiana Jones. The new XF is 75 per cent aluminum and Jaguar claims it reduces the weight by 190 kg from the outgoing XF. It also comes with a 10.2-inch touchscreen. Journalists and visitors will be able to see the XF in closer proximity when it is revealed at the New York auto Show April 1.

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