Concept Type 00 starts Jaguar afresh as a brand focused on high-end electric vehicles. Image: Jaguar
Having discarded its entire product range at the end of October, Jaguar has removed the wraps from its new concept heading for production at the end of 2025.
Conforming to a design the leaping cat calls “Exuberant Modernism”, the Type 00 (type zero zero) represents its new identity that has triggered a significant amount of backlash and large scale criticism for having dropped long-standing Jaguar values as well as the brand’s traditional customer base.
ALSO READ: Jaguar product count hits zero as F-Pace sales end in the UK
Showcased at the Miami Art Week on Monday evening (2 December), the fastback coupe-styled Type 00 conforms to a look Jaguar says is built on three foundations that represent the “artistic visual identity” of the “new Jaguar”.
These are Exuberant which is defined as “vibrant and fearless”, Modernist which denotes “respect for the past, curiosity and future-facing” and Compelling which it views as “holistic, sensory, extraordinary and generating meaningful connections with clients”.
Decked-out in two new colours it claims represents the Art Deco era, as well as the British capital, namely Miami Pink and London Blue, the Type 00 rides on the all-new Jaguar Electrical Architecture (JEA) platform that will underpin all of its coming models without reverting to combustion engine motivation.
Sporting Jaguar’s new monogram leaper and controversial JaGuAr script, that attracted extensive panning with the release of the product presentation clip at the end of November which observers described as “pro-woke”, the Type 00 will have a range of 770 km and as much as 321 km after 15 minutes using a rapid charging outlet.
Although represented with two doors, the production model will morph into a four-door GT with a reported successor to the XJ and more than likely SUVs expected to arrive later.
Mounted on 23-inch alloy wheels complete with the new stylised double J logo that has been described as looking like the label for a fashion brand, the Type 00’s 1930s closed roof Auto Union Type B-inspired look loses the traditional tailgate for what Jaguar calls a “pantograph tailgate” in which a ‘hatch’ hides the rear glassworks.
Along with butterfly doors, a rectangular Audi-like sealed Singleframe grille, thin LED headlights and fog lamps, plus the lowered roof and slanted windscreen, the Type 00 gets retractable cameras instead of side-mirrors, as well as ingots for the charging ports integrated into the wings behind the front wheel arches.
Inside, the interior loses all form of conventional instrumentation as well as centre console, the latter replaced by what Jaguar calls a brass spine measuring 3.2 metres between the driver and passenger.
Incorporating woven textiles, yearns and wool made from recycled materials, instrumentation is taken care of by a pair of displays of unknown size that fold out of the floating dashboard.
“The magic of Jaguar is close to my heart – an original British luxury brand unmatched in its heritage, artistry and emotional magnetism,” Jaguar CEO Adrian Mardell said in a statement.
“That’s the Jaguar we are recapturing and we will create the same sense of awe that surrounded iconic models like the E-type. Our journey is already underway, guided by our original ethos to Copy Nothing – and the results will be spectacular.”
Jaguar’s Head of Design Gerry McGovern, who earlier fired back at the media’s criticism of the brand’s relaunch by saying, “[we have] not been sniffing the white stuff”, added, ”Type 00 is a pure expression of Jaguar’s new creative philosophy. It has an unmistakable presence.
“This is the result of brave, unconstrained creative thinking, and unwavering determination. It is our first physical manifestation and the foundation stone for a new family of Jaguars that will look unlike anything you’ve ever seen.”
Reportedly set to come with a price tag of $120 000 (R2 171 268), according to carscoops.com, more details surrounding the production Type 00 will only become known in 2025.
NOW READ: Jaguar confirms I-Pace ending with combustion engines in 2025
Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.
