First Impressions: The Jaguar Type 00's Speed and Unique Design

It's hard not to empathize with Jaguar. The storied British automaker has endured a particularly rough patch in recent times.

The initial challenges arose with the December 2024 concept unveiling. While Jaguar expected its avant-garde electric vehicle design to spark debate, the uproar exceeded their expectations. Elon Musk, never one to shy away from controversy, couldn't resist commenting on the infamous advertisement lacking any depiction of a car.

Jaguar's managing director, Rawdon Glover, noted that the ad campaign, which embraced diversity with a wide-ranging cast, led to a storm of negative online comments targeting the brand and its staff.

Further adding to their woes, in August, amidst this contentious rebranding, Jaguar Land Rover's CEO, Adrian Mardell, resigned after a brief tenure of three years. The timing was especially poor as a cyberattack halted vehicle production, inflicting significant financial losses estimated at $2.5 billion, making it the most costly cyberattack in UK history.

As if that wasn't enough, Jaguar recently parted ways with the key figure behind the Type 00's design, concluding a 21-year stint within the company. After initial silence, Jaguar issued a statement 10 days later.

The camouflaged GT prototype showcased here features aesthetic alterations, including a shorter front end and additional doors, enhancing its visual appeal. It's the car’s performance, however, that truly stands out.

Meanwhile, as Jaguar readies to demonstrate the prowess of its flagship model, the auto industry appears to shy away from electrification. A recent $19.5 billion writedown by Ford, halting several electric projects, highlights this trend. Additionally, the European Commission plans to permit some non-electric vehicle sales post-2035 under heavy industry influence, coinciding with the embargo on Jaguar's exposure of this first-drive review.

It's clear that Jaguar's journey has been unlucky.

A Glimmer of Promise

There's a silver lining for Jaguar as it commemorates its 90th birthday. WIRED recently toured Jaguar's UK premises, experiencing firsthand the upcoming flagship EV's agility on closed circuits and glimpsing the final four-door GT form under cover.

Even with its disguise, the Type 00's four-door GT tinges on cohesive design more than its previous concept. The somewhat reduced hood length and extra doors align it better, owing to a concerted effort from Jaguar, going through 150 prototype iterations—the design was finalized half a year ago.

The initial 2024 Type 00 concept stirred strong opinions and marked a clear departure from Jaguar's traditional customer base.

Within the EV, the interior remains unpolished with elements like exposed wiring and add-on screens, though it features a notably refined steering wheel. JLR's vehicle engineering director, Matt Becker, guides us, exhibiting the vehicle's potential even in this raw stage.

Becker shares that they explored historical Jaguars to catalog effective handling dynamics, translating those into this new electric model. With evolving tech, crafting bespoke handling is both a hardware and software challenge, which Becker and his team are adept at handling.

Significant enhancements ensure the GT delivers real-time responsiveness. Becker highlights that their system rivals BMW's “Heart of Joy” driving computer, reducing response time drastically to a millisecond, offering a decidedly tactile driving experience reminiscent of classic configurations despite the vehicle's substantial scale.

The precision in cornering, aided by rear-wheel steering, makes navigating this five-meter-long, 2.5-meter-wide GT remarkably sharp, a feat made possible by cutting-edge digital solutions managing over 1,000 PS power (almost equivalent to horsepower).

At Jaguar's test track, Becker demonstrates infusing those quintessential driving characteristics into the new model: composed, agile at high speeds, with surprising surplus power.

Despite reaching speeds well past 100 mph, the car’s acceleration remains stable and powerful. This extends from its throttle mapping practices, providing consistent power delivery as acceleration continues. Moreover, conversation is easily maintained, even as speeds surge past 100mph.

The outlook for the Type 00 remains promising, but hurdles between now and its market debut are conceivable given Jaguar's recent luck.

Looking Ahead

To achieve long-term viability, Glover stresses transformation was crucial for Jaguar. “The brand needed reinvention. Financially sustainable Jaguar requires a presence atop premium tier, below high-end luxury like Rolls Royce and Bentley, where there's a notable market void,” Glover explains.

This GT isn't expected to top sales volume, but it positions Jaguar strategically. Furthermore, development on the successor EV, expected within the same cost range, is underway.

“The next vehicle is set,” Glover reveals, “We know its design internally and externally. It will follow soon.” With its first battery prototype completed, this successor is anticipated to rejuvenate Jaguar's bottom line.

Given the shifting auto market, could Jaguar modify plans in favor of combustion engines alongside EVs?

Glover remains skeptical but acknowledges that anything is possible. However, such a change of course isn’t currently projected.