Jaguar back on

circuit

Jaguar I-TYPE 1 Formula E racing car, side
Jaguar I-TYPE 1 Formula E racing car, front

JAGUAR'S return to motor racing after a 12-year absence is as much about testing the electric vehicle technologies that will spur the car maker's continued growth as claiming honours on the racetrack.

That was the verdict of Nick Rogers, Jaguar Land Rover's executive director, product engineering, as the Coventry-based car maker officially launched its first all-electric Jaguar Racing car, the I-TYPE 1.

The car will compete in the fast-growing FIA Formula E series, the third season of which is set to get under way in just a month's time.

Jaguar's return to global motorsport also sees it team-up with electronics giant Panasonic as its official partner.

Panasonic Jaguar Racing will take to the track for the first time in Hong Kong on October 9 with drivers Adam Carroll, Mitch Evans and reserve driver Ho-Pin Tung.

Jaguar Land Rover, now the UK's largest R&D investor, has pledged the Formula E championship will serve as a platform to develop the next generation of electric powered road cars.

Speaking at the launch of Panasonic Jaguar Racing at Jaguar Land Rover in Gaydon, Nick Rogers underlined the important role Formula E will play in developing electric vehicle technology and the importance of electric vehicles in Jaguar Land Rover's future product portfolio.

He said: "Over the next five years we will see more changes in the automotive world than in the last three decades.

"The championship will enable us to engineer and test our advanced technologies under extreme performance conditions.

"We will apply this vital knowledge as part of our real world development.

"At Jaguar Land Rover we employ 9,000 engineers and the team will draw on these engineers to extract data and push the boundaries of electric technology in a race environment.

"Warwickshire is the heart of innovation for Jaguar Land Rover.

"We have 9,000 engineers working here in Gaydon and at the Advance Propulsion Centre.

"We are the largest R&D investors in the UK and really proud of the growth we have seen and are really proud to be giving engineers jobs here in the Midlands.

"This is a key part of our product development and a key part of our future.

"All of the technology is being pushed to the limits on the racetrack and that technology will flow back into road vehicles.

"I promise you I will soon be telling you about new products that will have this new technology in."

Formula E sees electric racing cars compete on inner city circuits around the world.

Jaguar's participation has also seen it team up with the Lear Corporation which will join the team as an official team partner.

Gerd Mäuser, chairman of Panasonic Jaguar Racing said: "Today marks a new chapter in the history of Jaguar Racing.

"As the first premium car manufacturer in Formula E we are proud to be back in top-level motorsport."

The Panasonic Jaguar Racing team has successfully completed 21 days of testing, up to and including the last Formula E public test, which finished at Donington Park Circuit this week.

James Barclay, Panasonic Jaguar Racing team director, said: "Everyone has worked very hard over the last nine months to prepare for our debut in the championship.

"We want to be successful on and off the track. We know that the challenge will be strong - our competitors have a two-year head start.

"We will be keeping our expectations in check in our first season.

"Ultimately we're here to win but we're here to innovate too."

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