Jaguar Type 00 unveiled in Miami

BRITISH luxury and sports-car icon Jaguar chose the Miami Art Week to crack open the shell to its rebirth as an electric-car maker and one that promises to ‘copy nothing’.

The 89-year-old car-maker showed an example of its journey into an EV-only range with the ‘Type 00’ sports 2+2 concept, a car not confirmed for production but akin to the style of the first production model, a four-door GT, planned for launch in late 2025.

Jaguar will continued its ‘Type’ prefix to the new model range, linking it to the renowned Type C, D and E of the 1960s. In the concept car, the first zero representing zero tailpipe emissions and the second 0 being the model lineage.

“Type 00 is a prelude to a future generation of Jaguars that will recapture the spirit and essence of the brand at its best,” the company said at the 00’s launch.

“Our start point was a blank sheet of paper from both a design and engineering perspective.

“A new and unique architecture, JEA, was developed from scratch to enable the dramatic design of Type 00. This dedicated technology platform will ensure clients experience a captivating driving experience, engaging handling and exemplary ride comfort.

“The latest electrification technologies and awe-inspiring designs will make future Jaguars stand out in an increasingly homogenous EV market.”

The manufacturer has described the concept car as defying EV convention “with a long bonnet, sweeping roofline, 23-inch alloy wheels, fastback profile and boat-tail to create a dramatic silhouette with sophisticated, modernist surfaces. This design was enabled by our unique and dedicated architecture, JEA (Jaguar Electrical Architecture).”

The Type 00 concept’s architecture will also underpin the production GT.

This platform and drivetrain has a range of up to 770km WLTP and 692km EPA and can add 321km of charge in as little as 15 minutes.

The Type 00 was “a pure expression of Jaguar’s new creative philosophy,” said

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) chief creative officer Professor Gerry McGovern OBE.

“It has an unmistakable presence. This is the result of brave, unconstrained creative thinking, and unwavering determination,” he added.

“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. A vision which strives for the highest level of artistic endeavour.

Externally, the 00 uses upright, flush surfaces with a side profile showing the Jaguar ‘leaper’ laser-etched into a hand-finished brass ingot. These ingots theatrically deploy to reveal rear-facing cameras that – like the charging ports and front air intakes – remain hidden until needed.

The rear has a glassless tailgate and panoramic body-harmonised glazed roof with horizontal strike-through graphics which hide full-width tail-lights.

The car was shown at Miami in two contrasting interpretations of Jaguar’s new design vision, a ‘Satin Rhodon Rose’ example – dubbed ‘Miami Pink’ in honour of the pastel colours of the city’s iconic Art Deco architecture – is inspired by the distinctive rose colour that brass takes on as it ages.

The second is the Inception Silver Blue model, dubbed ‘London Blue’ and inspired by the Opalescent Silver Blue of the 1960s and was chosen to reflect Jaguar’s British heritage.

The move to an EV-only future and a distinct change of pace to more upmarket (read, expensive) models is tied to Jaguar’s deliberately confronting marketing campaign under the ‘Copy Nothing’ label that washes previous design elements and introduces its self-titled ‘bold new visual identity’.

Jaguar also chose Miami’s arts festival in recognition of its commanding US market, and also because “it emphasises its purpose as an advocate for art, in a celebration of British artists and creativity.” It also confirmed the 00 would be built in the UK.

Exclusivity grows as Jaguar throws away convention at the dealership. It has announced that the production cars will be sold at “a select number of exclusive brand stores for clients around the world.”

“These environments will present an immersive step into the world of Jaguar, embracing their setting and local culture and be complemented by a wider global network of luxury retailers,” the company said.

“Jaguar’s first new brand store will be in the heart of the luxury fashion district of Paris, in the 8th arrondissement.”

“The magic of Jaguar is close to my heart – an original British luxury brand unmatched in its heritage, artistry and emotional magnetism,” said Jaguar CEO Adrian Mardell.

“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.

“We have forged a fearlessly creative new character for Jaguar that is true to the DNA of the brand but future-facing, relevant and one that really stands out.