Ice Testing
Jaguar’s dramatic electric rebirth is not just about pastel concept cars and mysterious teasers. Prototypes of the future four-door GT are already undergoing testing on frozen lakes in Sweden, being spun into drifts at temperatures at which most electric vehicles would prefer to stay plugged in.
This GT, or whatever Jaguar decides to call it upon its debut this year, is the production version of the Type 00 concept. The company claims it will be the most powerful road car in its history.
With over 986 hp at its disposal, it has far more power than can be used on a frozen lake, but the Arctic Circle is the perfect place to test the behavior of the all-wheel-drive chassis at the limit.
Technical Details and Innovations
Jaguar has published high-quality images of the sedan’s testing but has not provided much new technical information, aside from mentioning that its intelligent thermal management system can reduce energy consumption for heating by up to 40%.
The total power and torque vectoring capability were already known, and the confirmation of the presence of twin-valve active dampers and air suspension came as no surprise.
Three-Motor Configuration
According to the update, a motor with approximately 350 hp is installed at the front, primarily used for efficient cruising. At the rear are two significantly more powerful motors, which together produce around 950 hp.
The total output is at least 986 hp and a colossal 1300 Nm of torque. The company also denied rumors of a hybrid version, stating that such a modification is not under development or planned.
Battery Architecture
Instead of a single large ‘skateboard’-type battery, the 5200 mm long Jaguar uses several battery packs: a smaller one at the front and several larger ones at the rear.
This layout allows for lowering the cabin floor and seats, giving the car a sports car-like seating position, providing an impressively low center of gravity and keeping the roof height at 1400 mm.
Range and Positioning
The range is expected to be around 400 miles on the US EPA cycle or 430 miles on the WLTP cycle from a battery of approximately 120 kWh. This should make it a true long-distance GT, the type of car Jaguar has traditionally known how to build, even if this model with a starting price of around $160,000 will be twice as expensive as many previous Jaguars.
Market Launch Plan
Regarding timing, Jaguar reports that the finished production car will be unveiled this summer. Order intake is expected in the autumn, with the first customer deliveries scheduled for spring next year.
That’s still a long way off, and some dealers are already feeling uncertain about the entire electric course, but the GT and the upcoming SUV may prove to be worth the wait.
This project is crucial for Jaguar as it completely reorients the brand towards the luxury electric vehicle market. The success of this GT could define the company’s future in the next decade, combining the legacy of British design and drive with ambitious technological solutions. The price is certainly high, but it also reflects a radical shift in the brand’s positioning as it attempts to compete at the highest level.