Automotive

Skier hits 117 mph in Jaguar-backed record attempt

Skier hits 117 mph in Jaguar-backed record attempt
Bell gets a ride on the back of the XF Sportbrake
Bell gets a ride on the back of the XF Sportbrake 
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Graham Bell with the XF Sportbrake that towed him to glory
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Graham Bell with the XF Sportbrake that towed him to glory
The XF and Bell set the record in Arjeplog, Sweden
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The XF and Bell set the record in Arjeplog, Sweden
Bell gets a ride on the back of the XF Sportbrake
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Bell gets a ride on the back of the XF Sportbrake 
Bell is towed to glory in a cloud of snow
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Bell is towed to glory in a cloud of snow
The XF Sportbrake can be optioned with ski racks
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The XF Sportbrake can be optioned with ski racks
The Jaguar XF Sportbrake in Arjeplog, Sweden
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The Jaguar XF Sportbrake in Arjeplog, Sweden
The team behind the XF Sportbrake record
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The team behind the XF Sportbrake record
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Jaguar Land Rover is no stranger to crazy stunts, but the latest effort is undoubtedly its coolest. Upping the pace considerably compared to pulling a Road Train through the Australian Outback, the team at Jaguar has set a new world record for towed speed on skis in the Arctic Circle.

These stunts aren't just there to grab headlines, although that's definitely part of the appeal for Jaguar. They also serve to prove the effectiveness of certain features – in this case, All Surface Progress Control and Adaptive Surface Response. Both are designed to help drivers in slippery conditions, the likes of which the company faced at its test center in Arjeplog, Sweden.

Hooked up to the back of the XF Sportbrake, former Olympic Skier Graham Bell achieved an average speed of 189 km/h (117 mph), comfortably usurping the previous 112.65 km/h (70 mph) record. That isn't all that fast on tarmac, especially when you consider the XF is powered by a 280 kW (375 hp) supercharged V6, but it's impressive when you consider the fact it was -28°C (-18°F) outside.

Jaguar XF Sportbrake | GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ Fastest Towed Speed on Skis

"I'm really proud to have achieved this Guinness World Records title, but it was a real team effort with the engineers at Jaguar supporting me every step of the way," says Graham Bell. "The XF Sportbrake stayed perfectly composed throughout and gave me the confidence to not only beat the target but smash it by a great margin!"

Sources: Jaguar, Guinness World Records

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2 comments
2 comments
Bob
Since I have seen skiers pulled by airplanes on water and snow, I doubt that this is a speed record unless it includes cars only. Since I learned that the terminal velocity for sky diving can be as low as 120mph or even a little less, I am waiting for someone to fly like a kite pulled by a rope behind a speeding car. A wing suit could probably fly even slower. Getting up would be tricky but getting down, even more so. Maybe if they could take off and land on a second car or truck following behind. I'm sure there is someone who could pull it off with relative safety.
ljaques
The first thought in my mind when I saw the title was NUCKINFUTS! The second was "Boy, those Jags sure look a lot like Taurus Wagons... http://bestautophoto.com/images/car-ford-taurus-sel-wagon-03.jpg Bottom line: I don't foresee buying a Jaguar or falling off a mountain any time soon.