Jaguar Racing has confirmed a long-term partnership renewal with global automotive technology company, GKN Automotive, within the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
As Official eDrive Partner, GKN Automotive will work closely with Jaguar Racing’s Technical Partners to apply its design, manufacturing and software development expertise to the Jaguar I-TYPE 5 – the team’s new all-electric Formula E racecar.
GKN Automotive will play an important role in the electric powertrain development. Software engineers will be integrated into Jaguar Racing’s headquarters, providing extensive knowledge. The British team will utilize GKN Automotive’s expertise to develop advanced powertrain cooling technologies for both the inverter and electric motor in pursuit of enhanced system efficiencies. The partnership with Jaguar Racing will also feed into development of GKN Automotive’s world-leading eDrive technologies for electrified road vehicles.
As a long-term team partner, the GKN Automotive logo will feature on the livery of the 2020/2021 I-TYPE 5. A camouflage development racecar made its debut with Sam Bird behind the wheel at a Jaguar Racing test in the UK earlier this week.
James Barclay, Jaguar Racing team director said:
“We are extremely pleased that GKN Automotive will continue the valued partnership with Jaguar Racing. As a key technical partner, their expertise and facilities will play a key role in supporting the performance of the team and the I-TYPE 5. The partnership goes beyond the race team as GKN Automotive also plays an important part in developing automotive products across a variety of Jaguar Land Rover models.”
GKN Automotive has roots in motorsport that stretch back to the 1930s. Its long-running partnership with Jaguar dates back to 1935 when GKN Automotive supplied driveline technology to the first SS Jaguar saloon. Today, GKN Automotive supplies every Jaguar model on the market with a range of driveline technologies.
“Pushing our technologies to the limits on the race track will speed up innovations, further advancing know-how. Therefore, I’m delighted that our expert eDrive engineers will be working in the Jaguar Racing team,” said Liam Butterworth, CEO, GKN Automotive.
