Rewind to November 2024, and you'll recall the Jaguar advert that featured no cars whatsoever, a stunt that broke the internet and even drew comment from Elon Musk. Jaguar didn't flinch, following it up with the Type 00 concept in Miami: two low, striking GTs in blue and pink that signalled a dramatic shift for the British marque. Now comes the real test. This is the production-ready Jaguar Type 01, the car that first caused all the fuss online.

Under the skin, the Type 01 packs three electric motors producing 1,016bhp, up to 450 miles of range, and perfect 50:50 weight distribution, making it the most powerful and aerodynamic Jaguar ever built. Pricing starts at around £125,000, roughly double what Jaguar has historically charged.

Speaking at a preview at Jaguar's Gaydon headquarters, managing director Rawdon Glover admitted the moment was overdue. "It's felt like a long time coming," he said. "It's a relief, actually, just to be able to talk openly."

Glover isn't fazed by a divisive design. "For some that's hugely attractive, and for others it's probably a bit too much, and that's absolutely fine," he said, noting the car's purpose isn't high sales volume but to force people to reconsider Jaguar entirely. That's why the brand opened its new era with a long, low grand tourer rather than another SUV, targeting the gap between premium and luxury rivals such as the electric Bentley Torcal, the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe and the ageing Porsche Taycan. Jaguar expects most buyers to be new to the brand, and says 50,000 people have already registered interest.

Styling cues borrow loosely from elsewhere, a windowless rear reminiscent of the Polestar 4, broad surfacing echoing the Rolls-Royce Spectre, a stance that nods to the Taycan, yet the overall presence feels distinct. Inside, the cabin is snug, a two-plus-two rather than a limousine, built around a 24-inch driver display and a smaller central screen, trimmed in Kvadrat wool-blend fabric, leather and Ultrafabrics' NeoGrain, with brass-effect anodised aluminium replacing the concept's real brass to save weight. The car stretches 5.2 metres, carries a 118kWh battery, and weighs 2.7 tonnes.

On going electric against the grain, Glover argued someone has to prove an EV can work at this price point: "I guess my question is, why not Jaguar?" Nearly two years after it first stirred controversy, the Type 01 has already reshaped perceptions. Whether it can win over sceptics on the road remains the final, unanswered question.

Source: Gentleman's Journal

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