Jaguar has released a new video that pits the new Jaguar XJR against a human jet.
The Jetman, Yves Rossy, took on his first ever live race when he went head-to-head against a Jaguar XJR driven by former F1 star, Martin Brundle in a unique race deep in the Dubai desert.
Brundle, who drove in F1 alongside Michael Schumacher and is now a commentator, had the new all-aluminium 550PS, 5.0-litre Supercharged V8 Jaguar XJR at his disposal while Rossy was strapped to his 2m-wide fixed wing, powered by four Jet-Cat superchargers.
“This was the most unique race I have ever taken part in. I have never seen anything like the Jetman wing, full of technology and innovation, and Yves is an extremely brave man. It turns out he is also a very fierce competitor!,” said Brundle.
Brundle was helped off the line by the XJ’s innovative All Surface Progress Control (ASPC), a high-tech system that automatically limits traction loss on the rear-wheel drive car at low speeds on slippery surfaces, maximising grip in tough conditions. He was able to reach a top speed of 280 km/h before crossing the finish line.
After five seconds of free-fall following his jump from the Jetman launch helicopter, Rossy was able to level off and power through the sky above the car, reaching a top speed of 313km/h before he flew over the line.
Rossy said, “Racing a former Formula One driver was exciting as we were very close in performance. Racing in a straight line may sound simple but it is not easy and this was the first genuine test for my equipment and my flying technique in competition.
“Just like the Jaguar, we use light yet strong materials in our wing to optimise performance, and superchargers to power me along. But while it is the technology and the aerodynamics that make the XJR perform the way it does, with me it is my body movements under the jetwing strapped on my back that make me fly the way I do.”
