Rally-spec F-types celebrate Jaguar’s motorsport heritage

Jaguar has turned its sleek F-type sports car into a gravel-chewing rally car as part of its celebration of 70 years of sports car heritage.

Two F-type rally cars were developed by the firm’s engineers to mark the anniversary of the reveal of the XK 120.

The rally cars also pay homage to the legendary Jaguar XK 120 registered ‘NUB 120’ which, in the early 1950s in the hands of Ian Appleyard, completed three consecutive Alpine Rallies without incurring a single penalty point, and won the RAC and Tulip rallies. Both rally-specification F-type convertibles are powered by Jaguar’s 296bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine and built to FIA specification, with comprehensively uprated brakes and suspension fitted alongside a protective rollcage, race-seats with six-point harness, bonnet-mounted light pod and fire extinguisher.

The rally F-types feature upgrades to the brakes, suspension and drivetrain including the addition of grooved discs with four-piston calipers front and rear. Hand-built competition dampers and softer springs ensure the high performance cars can be driven flatout over rough rally stages and there are motorsportspec wheels and tyres for use on gravel, a limited-slip differential and a hydraulic handbrake to help drivers tackle hairpin bends.

The celebratory models were put through their paces at Walters Arena rally stage, South Wales, to demonstrate their performance credentials and will now attend a series of Jaguar events over the next few months.