Jaguar have built a one off Jaguar F-Type to help support Team Sky during the time-trail stage at this years Tour De France. For stage 20 from Bergerac to Périgueux the team will replace their Jaguar XF Sportbrakes with this one off support vehicle.
The Team Sky support car is based on the F-TYPE R Coupé and will be supplied with the same 404kW/680Nm 5.0-litre V8 supercharged engine. There are no plans to put the car in to production but I’m sure there are plenty of middle aged men who would love a car like this.
The team from Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations main change was to add a racking solution, which carries two of the team’s bikes. Inside there is 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.”
We are not sure if the new Jaguar F-Type will help Richie Porte go any quicker, but he and the team will have great looking support cars.
