We’re still yet to see a production version of the upcoming Jaguar F-Pace SUV, but that won’t stop Team Sky running one as a support car on Stage One of the Tour de France cycling race.
The barely disguised crossover will be seen in public for the first time on Saturday 4 July – covered in Team Sky’s famous black and blue livery. It gives us our best idea yet of how the upcoming SUV will look, ahead of its official debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
Team Sky’s F-Pace will support the riders on Stage One, carrying the varuous people from the sports director, team doctor and mechanic, as well as drinks, energy gels, clothing, tools and spare parts for the nine Sky riders.
• Jaguar F-Pace spotted ahead of Frankfurt debut
We’ll see more of the car on Saturday, but for now, we have to make do with this single tracking picture. Like we’ve seen in previous spy shots, the Team Sky F-Pace gets a familiar Jaguar grille, slim headlights and raised suspension. The black roof rails and large alloy wheels are likely to feature on the production version, too.
There’s no word on the rear of the car, but expect the blue and black colour scheme to continue, with F-Type-style rear lights and a high window line. Prominent exhaust pipes are also expected.
Jaguar has also revealed the Tour de France support car will feature an innovative bike racking system, developed by the brand’s SVO division. It’ll get a unique telescopic clamp, designed for quick release of the team’s Pinarello Bolide time trial bikes.
There’s no word on what engine the Team Sky F-Pace will use, but as this is only a pre-production prototype, there’s a good chance it’ll be fitted with the most powerful supercharged 3.0-litre V6, rather than either of the 2.0-litre Ingenium engines expected at launch.
The gruelling 3,360km course starts in Utrecht, Holland on Saturday before heading into France and culminating in Paris on 26 July.
Will you be keeping your eyes peeled for the F-Pace's debut? Let us know in the comments below...