A new £100m research centre will be built in Coventry after the University of Warwick, Warwick Manufacturing Group and Jaguar Land Rover signed a Heads of Terms agreement for the construction timetable.

The 30,000 square metre  National Automotive Innovation Campus (NAIC) which will provide a national focus for research and include engineering, labs and powertrain facilities, virtual reality areas, design studios, demonstration and education facilities.

Dr Ralf Speth, Jaguar Land Rover, CEO, said "I am delighted that we have finalised the NAIC agreement and continuing our collaborative partnership with WMG and the University of Warwick.

"NAIC offers the opportunity for Jaguar Land Rover to develop its research and advanced engineering operations in one centre with academic and industry experts working together to develop and innovate, internationally competitive products of the future. "

Over 900 staff from academic and industry teams from WMG, Jaguar Land Rover, Tata Motors European Technology Centre and
other partners will work collaboratively on research projects.

Professor Nigel Thrift, The University of Warwick's Vice-Chancellor and President, said: "This is a considerable investment that benefit not just our University, nor just our city and region, but as its name says will be of national importance in providing world leading facilities to mesh with engineering ingenuity of our researchers and manufacturers."

Construction work will start in September 2014.