Jaguar builds F-Type to support Tour de France team [w/video]

Tue, 22 Jul 2014

The Tour de France is typically a two-wheeled affair, dominated by cyclists yearning to capture the prestigious yellow jersey. While the 2014 event winds its way through Europe, Stage 20 will see an altogether different conveyance wind along the route between Bergerac and Périgueux – the Jaguar F-Type Coupe.

As part of its partnership with the British cyclists of Team Sky, Jag has enlisted its new Special Operations division to build a one-off F-Type Coupe, based on the 550-horsepower, supercharged R model.

SpecOps has removed the rear glass and come up with a creative solution to mount a pair of Team Sky's racing cycles in the back. Aside from that upgrade, the cabin boasts new upholstery in the colors of Team Sky's traditional livery. A separate power supply has been established below the bikes in what's left of the trunk, which provides juice for a set of radios and microphones, so that the team's director can communicate with the riders.

Now, before the wealthy amateur cyclists of the world dial up their local dealer and attempt to order their very own F-Type with a bike rack in place of the rear window, Jaguar has already stated that it will not be putting this one-off into production.

Scroll down and take a look at a video of the new car's build process, as well as a the official press release from Jaguar. And keep an eye open for the F-Type on July 26, when Stage 20 of the 2014 Tour de France is ran.

Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations Builds F-TYPE Concept to Support Team Sky in Tour de France Stage 20

Jaguar has extended its support as an Innovation Partner to Team Sky by designing, engineering and building a bespoke F-TYPE Coupé high performance support vehicle for the team to use during Stage 20 of the race. Stage 20 of the 2014 Tour de France will see riders traverse from Bergerac to Périgueux.

Development of this bespoke F-TYPE Coupé by Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations follows the successful launch of the Jaguar F-TYPE R Coupé - the most dynamically capable, performance-focused production car Jaguar has ever built, which went on sale worldwide earlier this year. This unique F-TYPE concept vehicle is based on the F-TYPE R Coupé and will be supplied with the same 550PS/680Nm 5.0-litre V8 supercharged engine.

Jaguar does not plan to place into series production any version of this unique F-TYPE Coupé. Engineers working in the new Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations team were briefed specifically to develop one vehicle for Team Sky, and this exciting version of the F-TYPE sports car is now set to support some of the Team Sky riders on Saturday 26th July during the time trial (TT).

Bespoke features include a new racking solution, which carries two of the team's Pinarello Bolide TT bikes. The vehicle exterior is finished in Team Sky's famous livery, with colour ways and other Team Sky graphic design features also present inside the car. Further specifications include 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 Sports Director and the rider.

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 over 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-TYPECoupé is the latest example of our shared belief to push the boundaries and provide technologically innovative solutions, both on and off the bike. The visual impact of the F-TYPE Coupéduring Stage 20 will also of course bring added attention to Team Sky and our unique partnership."

As an Official Supplier to Team Sky since its inception in 2010, Jaguar has been proud to support the team's back-to-back victorious campaigns in 2012 and 2013, where the British engineering leaders supplied Team Sky with a fleet of all-new high performance Jaguar XF Sportbrakes.

By Brandon Turkus