Jaguar’s Radical Change of Course
Jaguar’s radical shift to electric vehicles, with a four-door GT sedan as its main product, has sparked a controversial reaction. When you learn about some of Jaguar’s planned future models that had to be canceled for the sake of the Type 00, this decision may seem even more questionable.
Canceled Projects
It is known that for many years Jaguar was developing an all-new XJ, but abruptly changed course and canceled the project just months before it was ready. The car was to be electric, but the platform was flexible enough to support a six-cylinder engine if the market demanded it.
In a recent conversation on the Road to Success Podcast, former Jaguar design director Ian Callum revealed that he also designed a new XF sedan and an F-Pace SUV before leaving the company in 2019. Both projects were shut down to clear the way for the Type 00. Perhaps the most painful is that a successor to the F-Type was also in development.
What Could Have Been
Callum did not specify how far the work on the second-generation F-Type had progressed by the time of his departure. He considers the original model one of the last great Jaguars before the company’s strategy changed. At a time when stylish front-engined two-door sports cars are disappearing from the market, losing the F-Type to make room for an electric grand tourer is hard to accept.
Speaking about the company’s new electric car, Callum described it as “a good car,” adding that “it’s bold, it’s brave, and it has a lot of good design qualities, but it’s not beautiful, and Jaguars should be beautiful.” He also said the Type 00 is “too retro.”
What to Expect from the Type 00?
Jaguar aims to establish itself as a legitimate competitor to Bentley and Rolls-Royce with the Type 00, abandoning the pursuit of sales volume and chasing brands like BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz. The production model will follow the radical design of the concept, although it will gain two additional doors and a longer wheelbase.
Power will be provided by three motors: one with 350 hp at the front and two at the rear, producing a combined 950 hp. Jaguar promises at least 1000 hp of total power and over 1000 lb-ft of torque. With such figures, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h should take about 3.3 seconds, top speed will be limited to 250 km/h, and the range will be approximately 692 km.
Jaguar’s transition to the status of an exclusive electric vehicle manufacturer is a risky but perhaps inevitable step in the modern automotive world. The loss of iconic models like the F-Type is lamentable for enthusiasts, but it reflects the harsh reality of business, where survival often requires radical change. The success of this strategy will depend on whether the Type 00 can not only impress with its technical characteristics but also win the hearts of those seeking true luxury in a new, electric era.