Jaguar Expands Its Performance Driving School

7 May 2012

As Jaguar expands its line of high performance models, the British luxury brand is growing its driving school program with the launch of the Jaguar Performance Driving Academy.

Jaguar Expands Its Performance Driving School

 

• With new name, Jaguar Performance Driving Academy succeeds, and expands, upon successful Jaguar R Performance Academy program
• Performance Driving Academy now offers Basic and Advanced Courses for all Jaguar owners and driving enthusiasts
• Basic Course is complimentary for owners of Jaguar XFR, XKR, XKR‑S and XJ Supersport
• New Advanced Course allows participants to polish their performance driving skills in Jaguar's latest high performance models
• Four Jaguar models now boast over 500 hp: Jaguar XFR, XKR, XKR‑S, XJ Supersport
• Performance Driving Academy is the brand's most dynamic and exhilarating expression of Jaguar sporting luxury 

MAHWAH, NJ, (May 7, 2012) ‑ As Jaguar expands its line of high performance models, the British luxury brand is growing its driving school program with the launch of the Jaguar Performance Driving Academy.

The Jaguar Performance Driving Academy takes the successful Jaguar R Performance Academy, launched in 2009 as complimentary for buyers of new Jaguar XFR and XKR models, and builds upon it to offer a second, non‑complimentary, advanced course and welcomes in driving enthusiasts interested in purchasing a Jaguar training session.

Jaguar Performance Driving Academy courses offer a full‑day driving curriculum with the brand's high performance models ‑ the XFR, XKR and XJ Supersport ‑ that allows customers to satisfy their need for speed, learn more about Jaguar cars, and sharpen their driving skills. 

The XFR, XKR and XJ Supersport are powered by a supercharged, 510‑hp V8 engine, and boast accelerations from 0 ‑ 60 in 4.7 and 4.6 seconds, respectively. The Jaguar Performance Driving Academy is designed to help drivers explore the capabilities of these special automobiles and develop the skills and techniques needed to safely experience their high performance dynamics.

The instruction consists of a two‑tiered course plan, a basic and an advanced course. Each program is tailored to the abilities of potential students. The basic course is complimentary with the purchase of a new XFR, XKR, XKR‑S or XJ Supersport, and costs $1850 for non‑owners. The cost of the advanced course is $2495 for all participants.

"By enhancing the Jaguar Performance Driving Academy, we are ensuring that our team of professional drivers demonstrate to customers how to enjoy the full potential and incredible capabilities of our vehicles while offering an exhilarating, experiential adventure for all auto enthusiasts," said David Pryor, Brand Vice President, Jaguar North America. "This program is designed to explore the capabilities of our most powerful and dynamic vehicles, with the goal of helping to develop the driving skills and techniques needed to securely achieve the limits of these high‑performance cars."

The experience begins with a welcome reception the night before the driving event. The following morning, drivers arrive at the track for a driver orientation and a full day of driving in current model year Jaguar vehicles. The lessons learned on the racetrack are made relevant to everyday, real world driving and leave drivers more aware of their vehicles' abilities and feeling more confident behind the wheel. Driving activities include:

• Maximum acceleration and launch exercises using different Jaguar Drive Control settings
• Braking exercises with anti‑lock braking system drills
• Emergency lane change maneuvers
• Dynamic Mode and Dynamic Stability Control Off handling exercises
• Cornering drills
• Autocross and slalom course
• Full track laps at speed with driving coach and hot laps with racing drivers

Upon completion of the basic course, or another recognized performance driving school, guests are welcome to participate in the advanced course. With the guidance of some of the world's most renowned driving instructors, participants in the advanced course begin their day with more sophisticated car‑control exercises, which include: 

• Threshold braking exercises
• High speed cornering exercises 
• Skidpad maneuvers
• Handling oval
• Low‑speed handling course

After polishing their individual performance driving skills, students participate in individually coached driving sessions around the full track. In‑car telemetry is recorded by a GPS tracking device and laps are then analyzed to improve performance on each segment of the track.

The Jaguar Performance Driving Academy will be making the following stops in 2012: 
• May 9 to 12 ‑ Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas
• September 11 to 14 ‑ Lime Rock Park Raceway in Lakeville, Connecticut
• October 11 to 14 ‑ Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nevada
• December 10 to 13 ‑ Homestead Miami Speedway in Miami, Florida

Potential participants can learn more about the Jaguar Performance Driving Academy by visiting www.jaguarperformanceacademy.com or by calling the program concierge at 866.513.7200 for additional information.