Jaguar confirms Formula E entry 15 | 12 | 2015

    JAGUAR HAS CONFIRMED it will return to motorsport when it enters the all-electric 2016 Formula E Championship, in partnership with Williams Advanced Engineering. The decision, which we predicted last week, will coincide with Jaguar Land Rover producing electric vehicles for the first time.

    FIA Formula E is the world’s first global single-seater championship for electric powered cars, and the 2016 season will get underway next autumn.

    “I'm proud to announce Jaguar's return to racing with an entry into the innovative FIA Formula E championship," Nick Rogers, group engineeringd director for Jaguar Land Rover, said.

    "Electric vehicles will absolutely play a role in Jaguar Land Rover's future product portfolio and Formula E will give us a unique opportunity to further our development of electrification technologies. The championship will enable us to engineer and test our advanced technologies under extreme performance conditions.

    "It is my belief that over the next five years we will see more changes in the automotive world than in the last three decades. The future is about being more connected and more sustainable; electrification and lightweight technologies are becoming more important than ever as urbanisation continues to increase.

    "Formula E has recognised and reacted to these trends and the championship's exciting and pioneering approach is the perfect fit for our brand."

    The British team will take over the entry previously held by the ailing Trulli team, and will receive four new Dallara chassis as well as develop its own powertrain.

    JLR will utilise expertise from its 8300-strong engineering set-up, while Formula E battery supplier, Williams Advanced Engineering — which has worked intensively on Jaguar's C-X75 plug-in hybrid concept car — will further aid the project in the development of the motor, gearbox, inverter and cooling system.

    “There is a saying that racing improves the breed and Jaguar’s entry into Formula E will be a powerful way of honing a new generation of EV technologies for its products," Craig Wilson, managing director of Williams Advanced Engineering, said.

    "We are delighted they have chosen Williams Advanced Engineering as their technical partner in this new and high profile chapter in Jaguar’s racing history.

    "Williams has extensive knowledge of EV technology, racing car design and the logistics of running a successful racing team so we are well set to support Jaguar in what promises to be an exciting new challenge for both parties.”

    Jaguar has yet to confirm which form the powertrain will take, and also the team name, livery and driver line-up.

    “We looked in detail at alternative ways of returning to motorsport," James Barclay, Jaguar team director, said.  "This was such an important decision for Jaguar and we wanted to get it right.

    "With our future EV plans, Formula E was the obvious choice and we believe that the benefits are enormous.  The FIA and the promoter have exciting plans for the future of the championship and we are proud to be one of the first vehicle manufacturers to commit to the series with our own team.

    Related: Jaguar Land Rover to build new factory

    "We have a lot of work to do ahead of the first race but it is a challenge we relish.  We hope that we can welcome a new generation of fans to Jaguar through this exciting programme.”

    Understandably, Jaguar's decision was welcomed by Alejandro Agag, Chief Executive Officer for Formula E

    “We are delighted to welcome Jaguar into Formula E," Agag stated. "Jaguar is a brand with a rich sporting heritage and the fact it is returning to global motorsport with Formula E is a huge endorsement of the championship and its ability to influence the development of electric cars.

    "Jaguar brings with it a passionate fan base that will drive the popularity of the championship across the world and once again shows that Formula E is the future of motorsport.”

    Jaguar has not had a works motorsport programme since then-parent company Ford pulled it from Formula 1 in 2004, at the end of a five-year spell in the world championship.

    Its motorsport heritage includes seven victories in the Le Mans 24 Hours — including Ecurie Ecosse — plus the 1991 World Sportscar Championship, run by Scot Tom Walkinshaw, and 1984 European Touring Car Championship titles.

    Related: JLR eyeing Silverstone bid

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    Jim McGill

     

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