Let’s cut to the chase – EngageSportMode doesn’t really do cycling. Too much Lycra; not enough internal combustion engines. However we’re willing to make an exception to entertain another cool product from the Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicles Operation team.
If you’re a cyclist, you’ve probably just got in from a quick “30k ride” and need a shower. But, before you do, here’s the lowdown on the one-off support vehicle Jaguar have built for Team Sky, to use on stage 20 of the Tour de France this weekend (Saturday 26th July 2014). Why for just one stage? Well, stage 20 from Bergerac to Périgueux is the Individual Time Trial.
This means the teams bust out specialist Time Trial bikes for greater aerodynamic efficiency, so Jaguar decided to help with a more rapid bike transporter instead of the usual XF Sportbrakes used. Based on the F-Type R, the S20C comes with a 543 bhp supercharged 5.0 V8.
It’s therefore going to be rapid, even with two bikes securely fastened into the custom-built carbon-fibre racking system. Jaguar has apparently undertaken high-speed testing to make sure the hideously expensive Pinarello Bolide TT bikes don’t fall off. Good to know.
Custom carbon rack and rear hatch.
On the outside there’s the obvious striking Team Sky livery, along with radios, amplifiers, microphones, horns and televisions to aid communications on the inside. Oh, and the addition of incredibly bright cyan interior trim!
So blue!
Jaguar has no plans to put the S20C into production, which is sure to disappoint ESM’s resident cyclist Uncle Steve who was probably hoping for one as a wedding present. Sorry Steve! But, as a consolation, here’s a funky time-lapse video of how Jaguar SVO built the Stage 20 Concept:
There; now let us never speak of this cycling malarkey again…
