Yes, that's a Jaguar rally car you see in the accompanying images. The British brand has created two fully fledged gravel-racer versions of its F-Type Convertible based on the SA-bound Chequered Flag model and paying tribute to the 1950 XK 120 that saw success in the Royal Automobile Club rally as well as the Tulip and Alpine rallies.
Based on the 221 kW 2,0-litre four-cylinder variant, the F-Type rally car has gained FIA-spec modifications making it fit for sanctioned rally competitions. The brakes have been comprehensively upgraded with grooved discs and four-piston callipers, along with a hydraulic handbrake to help in those hairpin bends.
The suspension has been kitted out with hand-build competition dampers and softer springs with three-way adjustable dampers, allowing the car to be set up for various conditions. The upgrade furthermore includes motorsport-spec wheels with gravel tyres and a limited-slip differential.
The cockpit receives a rollcage as well as six-point harness race-seats and a fire extinguisher. A finishing rally-spec touch is provided by the bonnet-mounted spotlamp pod. Additionally, the rally version inherits the Chequered Flag’s dark brushed aluminium centre console and a few other finishes.
Jaguar says the celebratory models were recently put through their paces at Walters Arena rally stage in South Wales to "demonstrate their performance credentials". The brand plans to roll them out at "a series of Jaguar events over the next few months".
