Some say that cars and bicycles mix like sheep and cattle, and that supercars and bicycles mix like bears and sea otters. Jaguar has other ideas with the creation of a bespoke version of the F-Type Coupé for the Team Sky British professional cycling team; turning it into a “high performance support vehicle.”
The one-off car will be used to support some of Team Sky during the time trials this Saturday as part of Stage 20 of the 2014 Tour de France. Like the production F-Type, the Team Sky Jaguar is powered by a 550 bhp five-liter V8 supercharged engine, but exterior modifications are obvious with the Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations’ engineering team replacing the rear windscreen with a carrying rack for two Pinarello Bolide TT bikes.
The paint job is also distinct, with the team Sky livery prominently displayed and the color scheme carried over to the workmanlike interior. In addition, a special electrical supply has been installed in the boot to power the vehicle’s radios, amplifiers, microphones, horns, and televisions that are used for monitoring and keeping in touch with the riders on the road.
“Jaguar is an iconic British brand that has been an integral partner for Team Sky for over four years.” says Sir Dave Brailsford, Team Principal at Team Sky. “We have already benefited from their high performance credentials and expertise in technological capabilities and engineering innovations, particularly with the recent development of the Pinarello Dogma F8. This F-TYPE concept is a world class vehicle that will help get the best out of the team on the TT stages.”
The video below shows construction and testing of the special Jaguar F-TYPE R Coupé.
Source: Jaguar
