New all-wheel-drive Jaguar F-TYPE R boosts Bloodhound SSC Record Bid

The new all-wheel-drive Jaguar F-TYPE R Coupé has ensured that the Bloodhound SSC World Land Speed Record programme has passed a significant high-speed testing milestone. 

The test marks the beginning of a major technical partnership between Jaguar and the Bloodhound Project, aimed at raising the world land speed record above 1,000mph and inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers. The current record stands at 763.035mph and was set by Andy Green in Thrust SSC in 1997. Andy will drive the Bloodhound Supersonic car. 

Ian Hoban, Vehicle Line Director of Jaguar commented,“Our goal whilst engineering the all-wheel drive F-TYPE was to maintain the engaging rear-drive character that’s so important to Jaguar sports cars, yet offer even greater dynamic capability. The result is a controllable, exploitable and blisteringly fast performance car in all weather and road conditions.” 

The AWD F-TYPE R Coupé was driven by Bloodhound Project Director and former World Land Speed Record holder, Richard Noble, who elaborated, “We are absolutely delighted to announce Jaguar as a Main Partner of the Bloodhound Project. This is a very fine match as Jaguar is very strong on innovation and boasts an unparalleled commitment to advanced technologies and education, as well as a noteworthy motorsport track record. Together we have developed outstanding inter-team synergy and this is a very special partnership.  We are proud to carry the Jaguar branding on the Bloodhound SSC.” 

Fitted with the same radio equipment as the jet and rocket-powered Bloodhound SSC, the F-TYPE was driven head-to-head at top speed with a similarly equipped jet, flown at 500mph and just 50 feet above the ground. The combined closing speed of almost 700mph enabled the successful test of the system that will allow communications between the ground crew and Andy Green in Bloodhound SSC, which will run for the first time on the Hakskeen desert just twelve months from now.