Jaguar is set to add all-wheel-drive to its 2016 Jaguar F-TYPE Coupe, part of a range-booting decision that will see variations of the popular vehicle increase from six to 14 in 2015.
The vehicle, which will debut later this month during the LA Auto Show, can speed up from 0-60 in only 3.9 seconds, the automaker says, and has a top speed of 186 mph. Jaguar will work with the Bloodhound SSC World Land Speed Record group to try breaking the current land speed record of 763.035 mph by going 1,000 mph next year.
Part of this newly formed partnership will be a F-Type R Coupe AWD being used as a radio/backup vehicle for the record-breaking run.
Jaguar decided to do a test run on the Hakskeen Pan desert in the Northern Cape of South Africa to announce the news, the location where the speed run will take place.
Taking the place of the Bloodhound SSC vehicle however was a jet fighter being flown at 500 mph and 50 feet away from the new Jag.
"We are absolutely delighted to announce Jaguar as a Main Partner to the Bloodhound Project," said Richard Noble, Bloodhound Project Director and the person behind the wheel of the F-Type in the video, according to the automaker. "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," he added.
The F-TYPE was driven head-to-head at top speed with a similarly equipped jet flown at 500 mph and just 50 feet above the ground.
The closing speed of around 700 mph allowed the successful test of the system that enabled communications between the ground crew and Andy Green in Bloodhound SSC, which will run for the first time on the Hakskeen desert in a year from now.
"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," said Ian Hoban, Vehicle Line Director, according to a company release. The result is a controllable, exploitable and blisteringly fast performance car in all weather and road conditions."
Pricing and full specs will be announced at the LA Auto Show.
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