Jaguar has staged a unique drone race to demonstrate how much room there is in the super spacious, super-lux 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 up to 60mph, the drones navigated their way through the door-shaped gates lit in Phosphor Blue and Red to highlight two of the XJ’s stunning interior lighting options.
“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.” commented victorious drone pilot, Brett Collis.
The ease with which the drones flew through the Jaguar XJL cabin is testament to the extra five inches of rear legroom over the standard wheelbase XJ. 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.
“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.” confirmed Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar.
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 575PS power output and a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time of just 4.4 seconds. Offering effortless refinement alongside acceleration, Jaguar Land Rover’s 5.0-litre V8 supercharged engine produces 700Nm of torque.