Jaguar has revealed its all-wheel drive F-TYPE coupe in a blaze of promotional glory, associating the new variant with Britain's Bloodhound SSC world land speed record attempt.
At least one UK media outlet had published spy pics of the new variant conspicuously wearing a taped-over 'AWD' badge, but the car's existence is now official. And the company has admitted that the all-wheel drive model is one of several new variants that will join the F-TYPE range, taking the number of variants from six to 15 next year.
Jaguar has now offered the services of the F-TYPE R AWD to the Bloodhound SSC team, which is aiming to set a new world land speed record in 2015 – followed by the even more ambitious target of breaking the 1000MPH barrier (1609km/h) in 2016.
At present, the record breakers are testing on the Hakskeen Pan in South Africa, where the F-TYPE R AWD has played an important role in communications testing for the attempt. At top speed, the Jaguar ran across the Pan, headed full pelt towards a fighter aircraft carrying the same radio equipment as the Jag – the same equipment that will be used in the formal record-breaking attempt.
The combined closing speed of car and jet was close to 700MPH (1127km/h) according to Jaguar, replicating the sort of speed the rocket-propelled Bloodhound SSC is expected to reach and exceed on the way to setting a new world land speed record. Making the comms test all that little bit more exciting was the fighter plane's altitude – just 50 feet (15 metres) off the ground.
At the wheel of the Jaguar for the comms test was former world land speed record holder Richard Noble, who is also project director for this new attempt.
"We are absolutely delighted to announce Jaguar as a Main Partner to the Bloodhound Project," Noble was quoted saying in a press release.
"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. Together we have developed outstanding inter-team synergy and this is a very special relationship. We are proud to carry the Jaguar branding on Bloodhound SSC."
When Bloodhound SSC sets out to break the record next year, it will have to exceed the current record, 763.035MPH (1228km/h). But the bloke at the wheel is well qualified to make the attempt; Andy Green (pictured) is the current record holder, having achieved that speed in Thrust SSC back in 1997.
Both the record-breaking team and the car company are confident the F-TYPE R AWD has the surefooted performance required for the task – and its heritage undoubtedly makes it a good fit for the British team too.
According to Jaguar, the new F-TYPE variant should be good for a 0-100km/h time of around four seconds (3.9 for 0-60MPH). But the all-wheel drive variant is more than just a quarter-mile champion. None of the F-TYPE's sporty, dynamic character has been lost in the transition to all-wheel drive, according to Ian Hoban, Vehicle Line Director for Jaguar.
"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," Hoban was quoted saying in the press release. "The result is a controllable, exploitable and blisteringly fast performance car in all weather and road conditions."