Jaguar to Race in Formula E Series

Jaguar Land Rover Ltd. says it will compete in the Formula E electric race car series when the third season starts next September.

The company, which is owned by India's Tata Motors Ltd.,  plans to use the experience to develop and test electrified technologies for future Jaguar and Land Rover EVs. Neither brand currently offers an EV. But media reports last month suggested Jaguar was working on an electric crossover vehicle that could be introduced in 2017.  

Jaguar hasn’t had much of a racing presence since former owner Ford Motor Co. pulled the brand out of traditional Formula One racing in 2004. In the Formula E series, Jaguar will partner with Williams Advanced Engineering, an offshoot of the Williams F1 team. The two companies previously collaborated on the 2010 C-X75 hybrid concept car.

The 10-race 2015-2016 Formula E season concludes next July in London. There currently are 10 teams competing in the series, including entries from Audi (ABT Schaeffler), Mahindra & Mahindra, PSA (DS Automobiles) and Renault.

Changes in next year’s rules include increasing car battery capacities from 28 kW to 32 kW and boosting peak power by 25% to 250 kW. Entrants also for the first time will be able to develop and use their own EV powertrains.

JLR’s team will be led by James Barclay. He says the race team will work directly with JLR engineers to test next-generation electric motor and battery technology under extreme performance conditions and transfer technology between the groups.