Following their all-new brand identity and all-new logo, Jaguar have unveiled their all-new production car. Labelled the ‘Type 01’ (said as ‘Type Zero One’), the luxury four-door GT is fully electric, but it’s the styling that has been drawing the most feedback. Jaguar’s own research revealed polar opposite results using out-of-10 scoring, but they’re apparently comfortable with that as they want the Type 01 to provoke emotions.
“From its dramatic design to its captivating drive, Type 01 distils the essence of Jaguar into a luxury grand tourer for a new era,” said Rawdon Glover, Managing Director, Jaguar. “Type 01 is the foundation of this British brand, one that makes no compromise between design and engineering in our quest to create objects of desire, just as it was in the days of the E-type and XJS.”
850V EV, Three Motors
The Type 01 sits on an all-new platform – Jaguar Electric Architecture – that’s EV specific and said to be the subject of more than 360 patent applications. This architecture will apparently be scalable to suit future models.
An 850-volt electrical system produces 757kW (1,035hp) and 1,365Nm – making the Type 01 the most powerful Jaguar road car ever. Listed 0-100km/h acceleration is 3.2 seconds, with 100-180km/h in 4.0 seconds. Range is 643km (EPA test cycle), with half of that available in just 13 minutes using 350kW rapid DC charging.
A three-motor drivetrain (one 260kW unit on the front axle, two 310kW motors on the rear axle), automatically switches from AWD to FWD to improve efficiency, or can be set via five selectable driving modes. These are ‘Jaguar,’ ‘Efficient,’ ‘Dynamic’ and ‘Ice & Snow,’ plus a ‘Curated’ mode that allows the driver to set their own combination. The two rear motors can also operate independently to achieve torque vectoring.
With its long bonnet, low roofline and fastback styling, the Type 01 has echoes of the classic E-type FHC in its silhouette, as well as the XJ-S. The all-aluminium body measures 5.23m long, 1.40m high and 2.02m wide, with a 3.2m wheelbase and 23-inch wheels. Special packaging of the batteries allows such a low roof height, which in turn means low-slung seating.
Monolith Styling
Three different teams contribute to the styling, with 18 full-sized models produced before the final design was settled on. Notable features include no rear windscreen (rear vision is provided by a roof-mounted camera), frameless doors, brass-look accents inside and out, and a four-seat layout divided by a central spine.
The ‘leaping cat’ bonnet mascot that was a Jaguar styling feature for decades is no more, replaced with an image laser-etched onto a brass-look panel. Positioned on the front guards, this panel is referred to as the ‘fender ingot’.
“Jaguar Type 01 is the first production car to showcase our new creative philosophy of exuberant modernism,” said Andrew Wheel, Design Development Director, JLR. “It’s unmistakable from every angle, exquisitely crafted inside and out with dramatic proportions, innovative details and sophisticated surfaces delivering visual impact and aerodynamic performance.
“With Type 01, we wanted to create something where every journey is an occasion, from how it looks to how it drives and how it makes occupants feel. Type 01 will never arrive unnoticed.”
Aero Benchmark, Exterior Options
At 84mm high, the Type 01 headlights are the narrowest ever fitted to a Jaguar, while vanes in the front-end open automatically when sensors detect the 118kWh battery pack needs cooling. When these vanes are closed, range is improved. Despite its bluff front, the Type 01 has a very impressive 0.23 drag co-efficient, making it the most aerodynamically efficient Jaguar ever. At speed, a three-position rear spoiler provides up to 75kg of downforce, while weight distribution is said to be the ideal 50:50 split. Other engineering features include four-wheel steering and fully-independent suspension with air springs.
Seven paint options include five in gloss and two in satin, all said to be chosen to highlight the Type 01’s unique geometry. A special ‘Design Vision’ edition will also be available, while a ‘Chromatic Moments’ collection consisting of two special colours – French Ultramarine and London Red - will be limited to just 60 cars globally.
Sound, Style and Space
In the cabin, there’s a panoramic glass roof, while the seating is said to be both cosseting and confidence inspiring. Twelve-way adjustable driver and front passenger seats also have heating, cooling and massage functions. The driver has a two-tone steering wheel and receives all vehicle information from a 24-inch OLED screen. The centre console touchscreen is closer to smartphone size, measuring only 7 inches.
A ‘Jaguar Immersive Sound System’ includes sensory audio and an automotive first in a full-width ‘Panoramic Soundbar’. Positioned across the base of the windscreen, this is combined with invisible speakers throughout the cabin, including the front seat headrests, to deliver immersive listening.
Embedded within the Panoramic Soundbar is the ‘ClearSight Rear View Display’ that replaces a conventional rear-view mirror. Positioned at the same height as the exterior mirrors, this display is said to reduce the need for focal adjustment.
Brass-effect accents on the pull-out storage compartments and (concealed) cupholders extend to door trims that feature the leaping cat design. As with the exterior, there are a range of interior colour treatments available, along with a choice of fabric or leather trim.
Luggage space at 450 litres increases to 1,000 litres with the rear seats folded. There’s additional storage space in the boot floor and under the bonnet.
Australia in ’27
Global release of the Type 01 will commence in 2027, with Australian release expected in the same year, but yet to be confirmed. Australian pricing will start from approximately $300,000 (+ ORCs), with further details to be announced closer to local release.
