TodayΒ Jaguar officially announced thatΒ it will join the third season of theΒ Formula E championship. The company also unveiled the design of its all-electric race car. The company says it will use the Formula E platform as a βtest bedβ for its electric powertrain technology.
Although Jaguar Land Rover doesnβt currently offer all-electric vehicles under any of its brands, they recently showed interest in EVs. Earlier this year, they showcased 3 new electric platformsΒ developed under a research program partly backed by the UK government and they are reportedlyΒ planning to launch a 300-mile all-electric SUV inΒ 2017.
In a press release, Group Engineering Director for Jaguar Land Rover Nick RogersΒ commented on the Formula E announcement:
βI am proud to announce Jaguarβs return to racing with an entry into the innovative FIA Formula E championship. Electric vehicles will absolutely play a role in Jaguar Land Roverβs future product portfolio and Formula E will give us a unique opportunity to further our development of electrification technologies. The Championship willΒ enable us to engineer and test our advanced technologies under extreme performance conditions.
βIt is my belief that overΒ the next five years we will see more changes in the automotive world than in the last three decades. The future is about being more connected and more sustainable; electrification and lightweight technologies are becoming more important than ever as urbanisation continues to increase. Formula E has recognised and reacted to these trends and the championshipβs exciting and pioneering approach is the perfect fit for our brand.β
Jaguar will join other major automakers in the championship including Audi and Renault.
The third season of the Formula E will start in the autumn of 2016.
