With Richie Porte in a strong position in the current overall classification at the 2014 Tour de France for Team Sky, Jaguar has extended its support as an Innovation Partner to Team Sky by designing, engineering and building a bespoke F-TYPE Coupé high performance support vehicle, for the team to use during stage 20 of the competition. Stage 20 of the 2014 Tour de France will see riders traverse from Bergerac to Périgueux.
Development of this bespoke F-TYPE Coupé by Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations follows the successful launch of the Jaguar F-TYPE R Coupé - the most dynamically capable, performance-focused production car Jaguar has ever built, which went on sale worldwide earlier this year. This unique F-TYPE concept vehicle is based on the F-TYPE R Coupé and will be supplied with the same 550PS/680Nm 5.0-litre V8 supercharged engine.
Jaguar does not plan to place into series production any version of this unique F-TYPE Coupé. Engineers working in the new Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations team were briefed specifically to develop one vehicle for Team Sky, and this exciting version of the F-TYPE sports car is now set to follow the Team Sky riders on Saturday 26th July.
Bespoke features include a new racking solution, which carries two of the team’s bikes. The vehicle exterior is finished in Team Sky’s famous livery, with colour ways and other Team Sky graphic design features also present inside the car. Further specifications include a separate electric supply in the boot which provides power to the radios, amplifiers, microphones, horns and televisions which support communications between Team Sky’s Race Director and the riders.
Sir Dave Brailsford, Team Principal at Team Sky, said: “Jaguar is an iconic British brand that has been an integral partner for Team Sky for four years. We have already benefited from their high performance credentials and expertise in technological capabilities and engineering innovations, particularly with the recent development of the Pinarello Dogma F8. This F-TYPE concept is a world class vehicle that will help get the best out of the team on the TT stages.”
JLR Global Brand Experience Director, Mark Cameron added: “Jaguar has supplied high performance support vehicles to Team Sky since its first season in 2010. The development of this F-TYPE Coupé is the latest example of our shared belief to push the boundaries and provide technologically innovative solutions that optimise the performance of the team, both on and off the bike. The visual impact of the F-TYPE Coupé during Stage 20 will also of course bring added attention to Team Sky and our unique partnership.”
