Jaguar has officially revealed its AWD Jaguar F-Type R Coupe and a technical partnership with the Bloodhound Project.
JAGUAR HAS officially confirmed the existence of its all-wheel drive F-Type R Coupe weeks after UK motoring magazine Auto Express published spy photos of production models sporting an AWD badge.
An all-wheel drive F-Type has been hinted at since 2013, and even as recently as the Paris Motor Show in October Jaguar was hinting there was more to come from the F-Type but wouldn’t hint at what exactly…Well, here it is. Jaguar has not only announced the arrival of the AWD Jaguar F-Type but also announced a technical partnership between Jaguar and the Bloodhound Project (which is aiming to break the current land speed record of 763.035mph).
According to Jaguar, “Today, the new all-wheel-drive Jaguar F-TYPE R Coupé ensured the Bloodhound SSC World Land Speed Record programme passed a significant high-speed testing milestone”.
And that ‘milestone’ was the testing of communication equipment to allow communication between the ground crew and Andy Green in Bloodhound SSC when he attempts to break his own land speed record of 763.035mph (set in 1997 in Thrust SSC) and reach 1000mph. The test was carried out at Hakaskeen desert in South Africa, where Bloodhound SSC will get its maiden run in 12 months’ time.
“Fitted with the same radio equipment as the jet and rocket powered Bloodhound SSC, the F-TYPE was driven head-to-head at top speed with a similarly equipped jet flown at 500 knots and just 50 feet above the ground,” a statement read.
The AWD F-Type R Coupe was driven by Bloodhound Project Director and former World Land Speed Record holder, Richard Noble: “We are absolutely delighted to announce Jaguar as a Main Partner to the Bloodhound Project. This is a very fine match – Jaguar is very strong on innovation and with its huge drive in advanced technology, education and motorsport track record, we have the perfect partner.”
Jaguar says its AWD F-Type R Coupe will hit 60mph in 3.9-seconds. Ian Hoban, Vehicle Line Director, Jaguar said: “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.”
Jaguar says the F-Type range will grow from six to 14 in 2015 with the full range set for reveal at the LA Motor Show on 19 November.
