AS new car launches go,they simply don't come any more spectacular than this.

In a gravity-defying stunt, Jaguar's all new F-PACE SUV has earned a place in history by performing a record-breaking 360 degree loop around a 19.08 metre tall structure - the largest ever loop the loop and a Guinness World Record.

A day ahead of the new Jag's global motor show debut in Frankfurt, a Jaguar team gathered at Niederrad Racecourse for the spectacular event which had been months in the planning to ensure that both car and driver could complete the world record-breaking challenge.

Precise physics, angles, speeds and dimensions were considered by a team of experts including structural engineers, mathematicians and safety experts.

At the wheel of the new F-PACE was legendary British stunt driver Terry Grant who undertook two months of intense physical and dietary training to ensure his body was prepared for the 6.5 G-Force which was generated during the stunt - greater than the forces experienced by space shuttle pilots.

After his daring, stomach churning drive Grant said: "Driving the world's largest loop tonight was a very proud moment in my career. I am delighted to bring the Guinness World Record back to the UK and help Jaguar run rings around their competitors ahead of the motor show."

When the F-PACE was unveiled at the Frankfurt show, Jaguar announced that it will be priced from £34,170 and will be available in three grades - Prestige, R-Sport, Portfolio, and S - when it goes on sale next year

In addition Jaguar will be producing a very special First Edition model, priced at £65,275 in the UK, which will be available in strictly limited numbers and in the first year of production only. Only 2,000 examples will be built, with 200 available in the UK

Powered exclusively by Jaguar's 300PS 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine, the First Edition is distinguished by a unique metallic paint colour - Caesium Blue and comes fitted with a host of top-end features including Adaptive Dynamics, Adaptive LED headlights, Gloss Black fender vents and a panoramic roof.

Inside, the soft-grain leather seats feature twin-needle stitching and an embossed houndstooth pattern and there's configurable 10-colour ambient lighting plus a state-of-the-art InControl Touch Pro infotainment system and 12.3-inch HD virtual instrument cluster.