Jaguar F-Type takes on a Land Speed Record

Jaguar announces that standard All-Wheel Drive will be featured in their flagship sport coupe in 2016, and the reveal took place in the exotic landscape of the South African desert. Details of the full model lineup will be released on November 19th at the 2014 Los Angeles International Auto Show.

On November 5th Jaguar unwrapped the 2016 F-Type R Coupe equipped with all-wheel-drive technology. This unveiling was captured on film in an awesome new video showing the car rocket from 0-60 mph in 3.9 sec. and a top speed of 186 mph.

Hakskeen Pan, Northern Cape was the perfect location to showcase the speedy Jaguar due to it being the same location that the World Land Speed Record attempt will be made in 2015. Jaguar used their new all-wheel-drive (AWD) F-Type Coupe to help test some high-speed communication test equipment as they sped toward an oncoming Czechoslovak L-39 Albatross trainer jet. This test was just part of a new partnership with the Bloodhound Project, whose team is attempting to break the 1000 mph mark (the previous record is 763.035 mph) with Andy Green who currently holds the record. Mr. Green will pilot the rocket-powered Bloodhound SSC. This British speed record team wanted to partner with a car brand that was passionate about going fast and doing it safely, just as they were, so Jaguar was the logical choice.

The surface where the test runs were taken has a soft texture, and it was critical to have a vehicle capable of performing in these conditions. The Vehicle Line Director at Jaguar states that “Our target with engineering the all-wheel-drive F-Type was to maintain the engaging rear-drive character that’s so important to Jaguar sports cars, yet offer even greater dynamic capability. The result is a controllable, exploitable and blisteringly fast performance car in all weather and road conditions”.

Richard Noble (Bloodhound Project Director) drove the AWD Jaguar F-Type during the testing. Mr. Noble is no stranger to land speed due to the fact that he is a former World Land Speed Record holder himself. He stated that “We are absolutely delighted to announce Jaguar as a Main Partner to the Bloodhound Project. This is a fine match - Jaguar is a very strong on innovation and with its huge drive in advanced technology, education and motorsport track record, we have the perfect partner. Together we have developed outstanding inter=team synergy and this is a very special relationship. We are proud to carry the Jaguar branding on the Bloodhound SSC.”

Stay tuned here for more details of Jaguar’s announcements on their future vehicle lineup. Also see Jaguar's F-Type R Coupe is making some noise.