Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy - Monte Carlo Rally Tribute

In celebration of their 1956 win of the Monte Carlo Rally, Jaguar brought an I-Pace eTrophy Race Car to run the course. Jaguar Racing Drivers, and brothers, Simon and Mitch Evans piloted and copiloted, respectively, the all-electric racer over the course 63 years later.

Press Release:

Panasonic Jaguar Racing driver Mitch Evans took to the passenger seat to be treated to an electrifying drive across the legendary Col de Turini by his racing driver brother, Simon Evans. The pair tackled one of the most dangerous roads in the world in a racing version of Jaguar's first all-electric road car, the I-PACE, recently crowned World Car of the Year.

The Col de Turini, located 1607 metres above sea level in the Maritime Alps, is steeped in motorsport folklore, with the Monte Carlo Rally often utilising its sheer drops and serpentine twists and turns for the ultimate test of driving skill.

The mountain pass lies near Sospel, between the communes of Moulinet and La Bollène-Vésubie in the Arrondissement of Nice. It has been the arena where the best rally drivers in history have demonstrated their skills. Today, an all-electric racecar conquered the famous ‘Col’ for the first time, 63 years after Jaguar won the famous Monte Carlo Rally in 1956 with the Jaguar Mark VII M.

“Being in the passenger seat was a strange experience for me as I’m usually the one doing the driving. Fortunately I trust my brother Simon and I was really impressed with how well the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY tackled the famous Col de Turini – the brakes are particularly impressive. Turini is steeped in so much motorsport history and I felt we brought it bang up-to-date with the all-electric I-PACE. My focus now turns to raceday and getting a strong result for Jaguar at the Monaco E-Prix.”

-MITCH EVANS, PANASONIC JAGUAR RACING DRIVER

“It was nice to give Mitch a taste of the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY car today and for him to feel what I have been driving this year – he is not the only Evans to have won a race this season! I loved driving the eTROPHY car across the Col. It is one of those motorsport names that is known around the world and I didn’t think I would get the opportunity to visit let alone drive with the road closed. Maybe I’ll sign up to do the Monte Carlo Rally next year!”

-SIMON EVANS, JAGUAR I-PACE ETROPHY DRIVER

Mitch Evans returns to the ABB FIA Formula E Championship this weekend with the Monaco E-Prix taking place on Saturday 11 May. The Rome E-Prix winner currently sits 7th in the driver standings.

Simon Evans competes in the official support series of Formula E, The Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY also racing in Monaco this Saturday. Each entrant pilots a racing version of the World Car of the Year winning Jaguar I-PACE.