JAGUAR MARKS START OF SALE OF ITS NEW F-TYPE COUPE WITH FIRST CONSUMER DRIVES AT CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS

  • c145586e-2542-4667-8289-4ff70593107dUnique consumer drive event debuts in Austin, TX May 9-10 to celebrate the arrival of the 2015 Jaguar F-TYPE Coupe, available in three models
  • First consumer drives of the all-new 550 HP F-TYPE R Coupe at the Circuit of the America’s track, home of the Formula 1  United States Grand Prix
  • Event continues F-TYPE Coupe vehicle’s “British Villains” marketing campaign and #GoodToBeBad theme as participants learn to drive like a Hollywood Villain  from renowned stunt driver Ben Collins
  • Actor Sebastian Stan, who stars in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and actress Mena Suvari to attend and participate in “Villain Academy”

(MAHWAH, NJ) – May 5, 2014 – Today, Jaguar North America announced its first-ever “Villain Academy,” a unique consumer driving experience and special edition of the brand’s Performance Driving Academy, taking place in Austin, Texas, May 9-10. The event invites consumers and brand enthusiasts to be among the first to drive the highly acclaimed new 2015 F-TYPE R Coupe, arriving at retailers in May 2014, and expanding upon Jaguar’s “British Villains” marketing campaign for the Coupe.

The “Villain Academy” is an extension of the Jaguar Performance Driving Academy and will teach consumers to drive like Hollywood Villains in the newest bad boy in town, the F-TYPE R Coupe, alongside stunt driver Ben Collins of “Top Gear” who has worked on movies like Skyfall and the Fast & the Furious series. As Jaguar brand enthusiasts, actor Sebastian Stan, who stars in the number 1 movie in the country, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and actress Mena Suvari, will both be among the first to experience the vehicle before it’s available in retailer showrooms.  Taking place at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, TX, the event takes consumers through a series of professional driving instruction, including a relay autocross course, an acceleration “getaway” run, one-on-one coaching, lead-follow track laps and “Villain hot laps.”

“As a live experience, the ‘Villain Academy’ is a creative way to continue our popular British Villains campaign theme, created to support the launch of the F-TYPE Coupe,” said Jeff Curry, Brand Vice President, Jaguar North America. “We’re thrilled to host this unique program for brand enthusiasts, which will enable them to be among the first to experience one of the hottest cars on the market today, the F-TYPE Coupe.”

The Jaguar Performance Driving Academy offers a Level 1 half day and Level 2 and 3, full day driving curriculum program with professional drivers and substantial on-track time with the brand’s high performance models – the XFR, XKR, XJR, and now, the F-TYPE R Coupe; allowing participants to satisfy their need for speed, learn more about Jaguar’s performance models and sharpen their driving skills.

British brands Thomas Pink and Meridian will have an integrated presence at the “Villain Academy” as part of a larger partnership with Jaguar. Thomas Pink will host a pop-up style academy/tailoring workshop at the welcome reception event, where participants will be professionally styled in a “Villain Look” and receive complimentary custom shirts on behalf of Pink and Jaguar. Meridian, Jaguar’s official sound system provider, will co-produce consumer video content with Jaguar at COTA, which will be released on Jaguar’s social channels following the event.

Jaguar will also host four winners of its social media contest for the “British Villains” campaign, held in early 2014, at the “Villain Academy.” The contest was hosted on Jaguar’s social media channels and challenged followers and fans to share their own winning “villain-style” songs, mentor, style and persuasion, all credited to the #GoodToBeBad campaign.

The “British Villains” campaign launched in November 2013 at www.BritishVillains.com and captures the premise that Brits have long made the best villains in landmark films, combining intelligence with charm, restlessness with calm and are always confident. As part of the campaign, Jaguar launched its first Super Bowl ad, “Rendezvous,” generating nearly 12 million views to date. Jaguar’s bespoke hashtag to support the ad, #GoodToBeBad, was the most used hashtag during the 2014 Super Bowl, among other accolades for the spot. Jaguar partnered with Gawker Media as the official media sponsor of the campaign, and they will be onsite filming content for Gawker and car enthusiast site Jalopnik.com, to be released in June. Jaguar will continue to update BritishVillains.com through July with information about the F-TYPE Coupe, the newest commercials and unique video content, which highlight the design and technological features of the vehicle. Consumers can sign up for the Jaguar Performance Driving Academy at COTA in Austin (May 6-8) at JaguarUSA.com/Academy  (www.jaguarusa.com/events/jaguar-performance-driving-academy)

The new all-aluminum F-TYPE Coupe, including the first F-TYPE R model, expands the Jaguar lineup beginning in May 2014 and starting at $65,0001. Available in three versions, the F-TYPE R Coupe is powered by a 550hp 5-liter supercharged V8 engine and will reach 60 mph in 4.0 seconds, and a top speed of 186 mph (electronically limited)2. The F-TYPE S Coupe and F-TYPE Coupe are powered by 3-liter supercharged V6 engines in 380hp and 340hp forms respectively, going 0-60 mph in 4.8/5.1 seconds and top speeds of 171/161 mph2.

1 Price shown is MSRP. Does not include $925 destination/handling fee, and excludes, tax, title, license, retailer fees and optional equipment. Retailer price, terms and vehicles availability may vary. See your local authorized Jaguar Retailer for details.
2 Always follow local speed limits.

JAGUAR AND BRITWEEK CELEBRATE BRITISH VILLAINS AT THE 2014 BRITWEEK LOS ANGELES

43338894-8c82-413d-9e11-9fa57bcc566c(MAHWAH, N.J.) – May 5, 2014 – Jaguar North America and BritWeek partnered to present A Villainous Affair, a rooftop reception celebrating the British villain, including the newest British villain in town, the 2015 Jaguar F-TYPE Coupe, on May 2. Held at the London West Hollywood, the evening included cocktails, canapés and world domination overlooking the Los Angeles cityscape.

Returning for the fifth year as a supporter of BritWeek, Jaguar co-hosted the reception to guests decked out in their most villainous attire. The 2015 Jaguar F-TYPE Coupe was on display on the rooftop amongst VIP guests including,Piers Morgan, Paul Wesley, Ethan Peck, Lydia Hearst, Jesse Metcalfe, Cara Santana, Bruno Tonioli, Jillian Murray, Sofia Milos, Christopher Guy and Rory Cochrane.

A vehicle that celebrates its British creativity, innovation and excellence, the     all-aluminum Jaguar F-TYPE Coupe continues a bloodline that stretches back over 75 years and encompasses some of the most beautiful, thrilling and desirable sports cars ever built. The F-TYPE R Coupe represents the pinnacle of the F-TYPE range with a 550hp 5-liter supercharged V8 and 0-60 mph in 4 seconds1.

The reception also served as the launch of the Jaguar and Thomas Pink partnership, which includes a program of events celebrating two leading global luxury brands known for quality and craftsmanship. Thomas Pink models showcased the brand’s vision of the stylishly dressed villain.

BritWeek is a non-profit organization that hosts a program of events every spring to promote British creativity, innovation and excellence across multiple categories, including film & television, music, art, fashion, design, retail, sport, philanthropy, business and more.   The events take place throughout Greater Los Angeles, Orange County, San Francisco and now Miami!  For more information visit www.britweek.org

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