2017 Jaguar F-Pace teased at Tour de France

A specially equipped prototype of the Jaguar F-Pace performance crossover is serving as the support vehicle for Team Sky on the first stage of the 2015 Tour de France bicycle race July 4 with a 13.7km time trial starting in Utrecht, Netherlands. Seen here in factory-supplied images, this one-off sports a camouflage wrap that intersperses carbon textures, rubber and chain design elements with the Team Sky logos — the better to keep various exterior details concealed until the production model debuts at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Based on the C-X17 Crossover Concept unveiled at that German venue in 2013, the new F-Pace arrives in showrooms here next year as a 2017 model. 

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As part of its official function to support Team Sky rider Chris Froome in his attempt to win a second Tour de France title, the Jaguar F-Pace carries a crew of up to four people including the Team Sky Sports Director, a doctor, a mechanic and another senior team member as well as supplemental equipment, provisions and tools. It’s also fitted with a custom quick-release bike rack designed by Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations to carry Team Sky’s Pinarello Bolide TT sprint bikes.

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Jaguar’s first-ever crossover offering to rival the Audi Q5, BMX X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and Land Rover Discovery Sport is based on the same aluminum-intensive platform that underpins the new 2017 Jaguar XE Sedan that’s also due to arrive here next year. While there’s been no confirmation, Jag’s new crossover is expected share the automaker’s new Ingenium 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines as well as the 3.0-liter supercharged V6 from the F-Type, all backed by an 8-speed automatic transmission. In addition to offering Jag’s sophisticated Instinctive All Wheel Drive system and All Surface Progress Control, we’re told the F-Pace will also spawn hybrid/plug-in versions and an SVO performance model.