Frankfurt 2017: Jaguar Announces World's First Production EV Race Series

Tata owned British auto manufacturer Jaguar was one of the first companies to take part in the FIA Formula E last year. And now, at the ongoing 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, it has announced the world's first ever battery operated EV race series, the "Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy". It will be launched as an exclusive support race to the FIA Formula E and will be organised towards end of 2018 at the same race venues and the same race weekends as the Formula E races. The Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy will be a ten race series. Jaguar will be offering 'arrive and drive' package to up to 20 drivers with one special VIP driver at each race weekend. The race series will have all drivers driving the Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy racecars.

(Jaguar I-Pace Racecar)

The I-Pace racecars will be built by Jaguar's SVO (Special Vehicle Operations) division in Warwickshire UK and of course, be based on the Jaguar I-Pace, which itself will be seen on streets towards the end of 2018. The announcement comes on the heels of the British Government saying that it will ban the sales of petrol and diesel vehicles 2040 onwards. Also, Jaguar Land Rover has committed that all its model lines 2020 onwards will be electrified with either hybrid or battery technology.

(Jaguar I-Pace Racecar)

Gerd Mauser, Chairman, Jaguar Racing, said: "Jaguar returned to racing in 2016 with the mission 'Race to Innovate'. With the launch of the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY we have strengthened our commitment to battery electric vehicles, international motorsport and Formula E. As a British team, we are proud to announce today the launch of the world's first production battery electric vehicle championship."

The complete technical specifications, race calendar, costs and futher details for the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY will be released later in 2018.