Jaguar has staged a unique drone race in London to demonstrate the space and refined luxury of its long-wheelbase XJ saloon.
High-speed drones piloted by professional racers flew through three cars during the race at Alexandra Palace, on a course marked out with 13 gates the same shape as an XJL rear door
Travelling at speeds of nearly 100km/h, the drones navigated their way through the door-shaped gates lit in Phosphor Blue and Red to highlight the interior ambient lighting of the luxury cabin.
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Brett Collis, drone pilot, said:
“I’ve been racing drones in competition for years, but this is a first for me. The course was a great test, but the fact we were able to go at such speeds proves how much space the doors of the Jaguar XJL gave us. Despite having to fly through the cabin we were still pushing the drones to their top speeds.”
With 127mm more rear legroom over the standard wheelbase XJ, the XJL gave drone pilots just the right amount of room to fly through.
Perfectly suited to those seeking comfort on the move, the XJL boasts an exquisite interior and sporting agility that makes for a commanding presence inside and out. This is thanks to features such as airline style reclining seats with massage function, increased headroom, fold-out tables and specially tuned rear suspension to enhance ride comfort.
Allied with 3.0-litre V6 engines available in petrol (250kW) and diesel (221kW), as well as a 5.0-litre V8 375kW petrol engine, owners can rest assured in the performance of whichever option they choose while enjoying the comfort inside the cabin.
Full of technology, the XJL shows new levels of connectivity and offers an effortless driving experience with features that include full LED headlights, all-wheel drive and All Surface Progress Control (ASPC), as well as the latest Touch Pro infotainment system.
Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar said:
“Quality and comfort are always at the forefront of our minds and this is especially true for the Jaguar XJL. The long wheelbase gave us the space to create a passenger experience that is second to none. We might not have designed it with drone racing in mind, but it’s a fun way to demonstrate the spacious environment we’ve created.”
The drone pilots flew their craft while sitting in the back of the performance flagship for the XJ range – the new XJR575 – which boasts a 423kW power output, a 0-100 km/h time of just 4.4 seconds and top speed of 300km/h. Offering effortless refinement alongside acceleration, Jaguar Land Rover’s 5.0-litre V8 supercharged engine produces 700Nm of torque.
It comes with a choice of two bespoke new exterior colour finishes from Special Vehicle Operations, Velocity Blue and Satin Corris Grey, while the exterior also sports updates to the rear spoiler, side sills, front bumper and lower air intakes with gloss black surrounds.
Striking red brake callipers now accompany the 20-inch Farallon gloss black wheels, as part of an exterior refresh that brings new badges and twin bonnet louvres. A stylish final flourish comes inside the cabin, with bespoke embossed tread plates standing out alongside the intaglio and diamond-quilted seating.
The XJL and XJR575 are manufactured at Jaguar Land Rover’s Castle Bromwich plant alongside the XE, XF and F-TYPE. Both are available in South Africa, with pricing starting at R1 755 900 for XJL, and R2 546 600 for the XJR575.
