HAVING been the first premium manufacturer to enter Formula E back in 2016, Jaguar are set to be the pace setter yet again, with the announcement of the i-Pace eTrophy, the world’s first production battery electric vehicle race series.
The series will race i-Pace race cars as a support series for the FIA Formula E championship, taking place on the same weekends at the same city circuits, starting in late 2018. The new all-electric series gives racers of the future a chance to showcase their talent, competing on the world stage in zero-emissions motor sport.
The ground-breaking championship will support the launch of the Jaguar i-Pace electric performance SUV, with a full grid of 20 cars expected to race across 10 global cities, including Hong Kong, Paris, Sao Paolo and New York.
The announcement follows news that the British government is to ban the sale of petrol and diesel cars from 2040 and reinforces Jaguar Land Rover’s commitment to electrification – from 2020 all new model lines will be electrified, with either hybrid or battery technology.
Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) in Warwickshire, UK, will build the race cars. They will be based on Jaguar’s first battery electric vehicle, the i-Pace performance SUV, which will hit the streets in late 2018.
Technical specifications, race calendar and costs for the Jaguar i-Pace eTrophy will be released in 2018. Demand is anticipated to be high and places will be awarded on a first come, first served basis from entrants and drivers holding the relevant international race licence. An arrive and drive option will be available.
