Today LEGO announced the newest set in the Speed Champions lineup will come from a new brand partnership with Panasonic Jaguar Racing. Set 75898 Formula E Panasonic Jaguar Racing GEN2 car & Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY will feature two of Jaguar’s newest all-electric vehicles along with one of the longest official LEGO set names. The Formula E I-TYPE 4 racecar has just been unveiled today by the Panasonic Jaguar Racing team and represents the pinnacle of the team’s technical capabilities. Meanwhile, the Jaguar I-PACE is the brand’s newest all-electric SUV, marketed to go toe-to-toe with the Tesla Model X. The set will be available January 1, 2020.
There’s no word yet on the price or piece count for the LEGO set. Panasonic Jaguar have also teamed up with Scalextric to create slot-car versions of the vehicles.
Earlier this year, The Brothers Brick got an advance look at a prototype version of this set at LEGO’s headquarters in Billund, Denmark. These models are the first of the Speed Champions line to use a new 8-stud-wide design language.
LEGO told us the new 8-stud-wide design allows for more details as well as side-by-side seating for two minifigures. One major detail that wasn’t possible without the 8-stud-wide design is the air gap between the wheels and body on the I-TYPE.
The I-PACE will feature two seats up front with another pair behind.
The models were still in the final stages of design, featuring some painted parts as well as a number of 3D-printed prototype elements. A pair of new 3×2 wedge plates surround the cockpit on the Formula E racer, while a new 6-wide version of the Speed Champions-style windscreen adorns the front of the SUV.
Meanwhile, the I-PACE is built on a new platform element, which LEGO did have finalized to a traditionally molded element at the time we saw the model. The huge 6×12 modified plate makes it easier to build a detailed vehicle that can withstand rigorous play.
Read the full press release from Panasonic Jaguar Racing below.
PANASONIC JAGUAR RACING UNVEILS THE ALL-NEW JAGUAR I-TYPE 4
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CASTROL, LEGO & SCALEXTRIC JOIN FORCES WITH PANASONIC JAGUAR RACING
- Panasonic Jaguar Racing have today unveiled their new season six all-electric racecar, the Jaguar I-TYPE 4 featuring an all new powertrain
- New Zealander Mitch Evans and Briton James Calado will be pushing for points, podiums and wins in the new Jaguar I-TYPE 4
- Automotive lubricant specialists Castrol have become the latest leading brand to partner with Panasonic Jaguar Racing
- Jaguar Racing partner with leading toy manufacturers the LEGO Group and Scalextric with mini versions of Jaguar’s racecars set to go on sale soon
02 October 2019, Gaydon, United Kingdom:
Panasonic Jaguar Racing have today revealed their brand-new all electric racecar to challenge for season six of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship. The British team’s official launch in front of VIPs, media, partners and fans was at Jaguar’s brand-new design studio in Gaydon, Warwickshire – the most advanced automotive design centre in the world.
The Jaguar I-TYPE 4, featuring an all new motor, gearbox, invertor, rear suspension and dampers has seen its overall weight reduced offering improved handling and performance.
The lightest and most efficient powertrain the team has ever produced, the Jaguar I-TYPE 4 has a lower centre of gravity and will allow the team to push towards even more points, podiums and wins in season six.
The new powertrain also features a new vehicle control module – which increases the processing capacity and allows faster rate of software development – this puts Jaguar at the forefront of battery electric vehicle innovation.
James Barclay, Panasonic Jaguar Racing Team Director:
“The start of a new season is an exciting time for the team. After months of hard work we are excited to show the world the new Jaguar I-TYPE 4. We have applied all of our experience in Formula E to date and our latest innovations into the new racecar and the development team have created what we believe will be our most competitive Formula E car to date. We’ve learnt how to win as a team and we are hungry for more in season six. We can’t wait to get racing!”
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Panasonic Jaguar Racing is delighted to welcome a new partner in Castrol, one of the world’s leading lubricants brands. The team is using Castrol’s advanced e-fluids onboard the Jaguar I-TYPE 4, building on a long and successful motorsport partnership. Over the years Jaguar Racing and Castrol have enjoyed extraordinary motorsport success, including victory at the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours and the 24 Hours of Daytona. Using Castrol’s e-fluids, will allow Jaguar and Castrol to collaborate, learn and win on the track and further develop advanced technology and e-fluids for the award-winning Jaguar I-PACE and future roadgoing Jaguar vehicles.
Mandhir Singh, Chief Executive Officer, Castrol
“We’re excited to extend our long-term partnership with Jaguar to the Panasonic Jaguar Racing Formula E Team. Putting our e-fluids to the test in the tough Formula E race environment is the ideal way to develop the e-fluids and electric vehicle technology of the future. This will help us deliver what drivers want, to go further on a single charge and enable the longer life of transmission and component parts”.
The Castrol logo will feature on the driver helmets and suits, team kit, and merchandise.
James Barclay, Panasonic Jaguar Racing Team Director:
“To improve our performance on the track, we need the best partners, and we are delighted to welcome Castrol for season six. Their innovative automotive lubricants are already benefiting the team and we can’t wait to start the season together in Saudi Arabia for the Diriyah E-Prix in November.”
Two other huge, but equally tiny additions to the team in season six. Panasonic Jaguar Racing have partnered with leading toy manufacturers the LEGO Group and Scalextric to create mini versions of the electric cars. The LEGO® Speed Champions set featuring the Formula E Panasonic Jaguar Racing GEN2 car and Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY will be available to buy from 1 January 2020. The Jaguar I-TYPE Scalextric will be on sale from Spring 2020.
speed champions moving to 8-wide builds makes me irrationally excited. these also look really cool. i hope the rumors of the rest of the lineup are true.
I’ve looooong been awaiting an 8-wide standard for LEGO cars. I didn’t think it would ever happen! Just makes sense to me, though. Pretty much everything should be wider and slightly shorter, to match the proportions of the minifigs. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I’ve long been awaiting an 8-stud-wide standard for LEGO cars! I didn’t think it would ever happen at this rate, so I’m very excited. :) Just makes sense, to me! Pretty much everything should be wider and slightly shorter, to match the proportions of minifigs.
Will I need to redo my lego city for 8 studs wide now? So many vehicles and road plates …
Will I need to redo my lego city for 8 studs wide now= = ? same question here, too many vehicles ….
Will the I-PACE really seat 4 minifigs?? That must be a tight squeeze at the back! In any case great that it’ll seat 2 at the front.
If you zoom in to the photos you can see all the new part color pieces. Any part that looks off color is likely 3d printed and we’ll be seeing it in said color by 2020. Case in point : item 28192 slope 45 2×1 with cutout without stud doesn’t come in this azure (ish) blue.