Jaguar return to motorsport with a factory team entered into the 2016 FIA Formula E championship.
This will mark Jaguar’s first official return to international motorsport since it withdrew from Formula One team in 2004. It joins the likes of Audi, DS, Mahindra, Renault and Venturi in what will be Formula E’s third season next year.
It’s an ideal marketing opportunity for the Jaguar Land Rover group who is using Formula E as a precursor to the arrival of their upcoming production electric vehicles. Rumour has it that JLR will unveil an electric crossover for the Paris motor show next year, dovetailing perfectly with with Jaguar’s entry to Formula E. The production car will likely be based on the new F-Pace (Jaguar has already trademarked the name EV-Type).
“Formula E,” said a Jaguar statement, “offers a unique opportunity for Jaguar Land Rover to further the development of future EV powertrain, including motor and battery, technology”.
Currently in this second season of Formula E, all teams use a common chassis and battery, with is manufacturers allowed to develop their own powertrains. However, next season teams will be able to supply their own batteries, too.
The Jaguar team will will work closely with the Williams F1 team’s technology division, Williams Advanced Engineering, whose knowledge of high-performance electric powertrains, not to mention Williams’ motorsport experience, should be of good use.
