Jaguar XF Sportbrake tows skier at 117mph

An ability to tow lycra-clad men on skis probably wasn’t on the XF Sportbrake’s initial brief, but turns out it’s got a talent for it. In a marketing stunt designed to big-up the XF’s four-wheel drive traction, former British Olympic skier Graham Bell agreed to be hauled along, and didn’t shout stop until he hit 117mph.

What makes this particularly brave is he beat the existing record by more than 47mph – he really didn’t need to push it so far, or perhaps the driver simply couldn’t hear his screams… The record was completed at JLR’s Arctic test centre in Arjeplog, Sweden where temperatures were as low as -28C.

Jeremy Hicks, Jaguar Land Rover UK MD, said: “The XF Sportbrake's superb traction, handling and high speed stability made it the perfect choice for this speed record attempt. We’re extremely proud to have supported Graham in this incredible world-beating achievement – it’s this kind of trail-blazing activity that really tests our cars to their limits.”

It joins a long roster of Jaguar Land Rover marketing stunts that include the E-Pace barrel roll in March this year and the F-Pace loop-the-loop in 2015. Ideas for what JLR should take on next? Answers below.