The new all-wheel drive 2019 Jaguar XE 300 SPORT took on Hungarian short track speed skating Olympic gold medallist Shaolin Sándor Liu, on the world’s longest artificial outdoor ice circuit. The XE 300 SPORT made its debut by setting a unique lap record on the ice circuit at Flevonice in the Netherlands.

“Ice is one of the most demanding surfaces for any vehicle to contend with and this race demonstrated the XE’s all-surface capability and unrivalled handling in adverse conditions,” said Mike Cross, Chief Engineer at Jaguar Land Rover.

To add a little more pressure for the speed skating champion, his girlfriend, Team Great Britain skater Elise Christie, was also on hand, and riding shotgun in the Jag.

After anchoring Hungary to a gold medal in the 5,000 metre relay at the 2018 Winter Olympics, Shaolin Sándor Liu set the benchmark lap time, negotiating the track at Flevonice Sports and Funpark in 4 minutes 4 seconds.

Up next was the Jaguar XE 300 SPORT, driven by Sean Haughey, Jaguar Stability Development Leader. With a 295 hp 2.0-litre Ingenium engine, the XE 300 SPORT can accelerate from 0-96 km/h (0-60 mph) in 5.4 seconds on a dry surface. Haughey took full advantage of the Jag’s 296 hp and its advanced all-wheel drive and sophisticated traction technologies to maintain composure. He lapped the track in 3 minutes 3 seconds at an average speed of 58 km/h (36 mph).

“I thought I would have a big advantage over the car on the ice and was pretty happy with my time considering the conditions but when I saw the XE 300 SPORT take off from the start line, I had a feeling it would be faster,” said Shaolin Sándor Liu.

“I was desperate to pit myself against the XE 300 SPORT but sitting in the passenger seat gave me an experience I’ll never forget,” said Elise Christie. “I didn’t think it would be able to lap the track as quickly as an Olympic Champion, but the Jaguar’s all-wheel-drive traction was really impressive.”