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Jaguar unveils Type 00, the first model in its all-electric future
By Tessa Crowley | 10 December 2024 | Cars & Yachts, Motoring
Unveiled at Miami Art Week, Jaguar’s new concept car is a bold statement of its all-electric future
Having made waves when its new brand reveal went live on YouTube, you’d be hard pressed to have missed the furore around Jaguar this month, as autophiles everywhere jumped to share their thoughts. Whether a staunch fan, new direction naysayer, or apathetic auto aficionado, Jaguar propelled itself into the spotlight, drawing opinions both objective and emotive from across the globe. Perhaps no bad thing as the brand looks to shake up the system and step boldly into a new electric era.
As the dust started to settle, Jaguar took advantage of the extra attention, reemerging at last week’s Miami Art Week to unveil the Type 00. The first model to be released under the refreshed identity, the brand calls it “the physical manifestation of Jaguar’s new creative philosophy – Exuberant Modernism”. A youthful take on the brand’s founding ethos, ‘Copy Nothing’, this first looks seems to signal a brave new direction full of chunky lines and bright colours aimed at a younger, perhaps more urban, audience. No small tweaks and subtle changes here.
From the founding colours, dubbed ‘Miami Pink’ and ‘London Blue’, to the interactive mood totems (more on that shortly), this carlooks calculated to attract a new audience and propel the brand into the future. The new model, ‘Type 00’ — itself a move from traditional alphabetical naming to a numeric one — is named for its zero tailpipe emissions and status as “car zero” in the new lineage.
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So what does it actually look like? Well, the striking concept car features a long bonnet, sweeping roofline, 23-inch alloy wheels, fastback profile and boat-tail to create a dramatic silhouette. Three new symbols are present, including Jaguar’s signature device mark; the Jaguar ‘leaper’ and new, discreet monogram makers marks; and the bold linear strikethrough.
The vehicle itself features a glassless tailgate and panoramic body-harmonised glazed roof, designed to create a sense of sculpture. The side profile features the Jaguar ‘leaper’ laser-etched into a hand-finished brass ingot on each side of the car, theatrically deploying to reveal rear-facing cameras that – like the charging ports and front air intakes – remain hidden until needed.
Dramatic full-width taillights are hidden beneath the strikethrough graphic, while a pantograph tailgate opens to reveal a spacious modernist interior. Butterfly doors open onto an impressive cabin, featuring three hand-finished brass lines running its length, as well as a central 3.2m-long brass spine splitting a pair of floating instrument panels.
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Inside, soothing travertine stone functions as a plinth, supporting the floating seats and spine, offset by woven textiles selected to add to the sense of craftsmanship. A tactile wool blend, inspired by handwoven yarns, envelops the two seats, sound bar and flooring.
Mary Crisp, Chief Materiality Designer, Jaguar, said: “The Materiality ideology for Type 00 embraces authentic, unexpected materials and captivating colour, with our new creative philosophy visible at every turn. We have three key materials – brass, travertine stone and textiles – and the way we use these materials represents bold pieces of art and creates a unique atmosphere.”
Tom Holden, Chief Interior Designer, Jaguar, said, “Just as on the outside, deployable technologies are a hallmark of the interior. Screens glide silently and theatrically from the dashboard, while powered stowage areas slide open softly on demand, revealing hidden splashes of exuberant colour. We believe technology should enhance the modern luxury experience, not dominate the architecture, and the digital screen at the centre of the dashboard is an example of this philosophy. The Clearsight display replaces the traditional rear-view mirror, improving overall visibility.”
Uniquely, occupants can tailor the cabin to suit their mood using the so-called ‘Prism’ case. Stowed behind a powered door on the bodyside, the prism contains three totems of natural materials – Brass, Travertine and Alabaster. Placing one in the central console tailors the mood of the interior, with ambient lighting, unique soundscapes, tailored screen graphics, and even bespoke scents being released.
Adrian Mardell, Chief Executive Office, JLR, adds: “The magic of Jaguar is…an original British luxury brand unmatched in its heritage, artistry and emotional magnetism. That’s the Jaguar we are recapturing. Our journey is already underway, guided by our original ethos to Copy Nothing – and the results will be nothing short of spectacular.”
For now, admirers of Jaguar Type 00 who are eager to discover more models under the new direction will have to wait. As it transforms into an electric-only brand, reimaginings of its popular models will be hotly anticipated. The first promised production car — an electric four-door GT — is not expected until late next year (2025) and, holding true to the brand’s heritage, will be produced at one of its UK factories. It will target a driving range up to 430 miles (EPA) on a single charge, adding up to 200 miles of range in 15 minutes when rapid charging.