Over a year ago, Jaguar radically transformed itself as a brand, debuting a new logo, a new philosophy, and a new look and feel. Along with it came the Jaguar Type 00 concept, a powerful and opulent electric luxury grand tourer with minimalistic styling and proportions inspired by past Jaguar tourers. That concept is now serving as the inspiration for the first new Jaguar production model in a long time, a four-door electric grand tourer with 1,000 horsepower.
Already, Jaguar has shown off the impressive performance capabilities of its new grand tourer during testing in the Arctic Circle, and as the reveal of the production version of the car later this year draws nearer, the manufacturer is showcasing more of its engineering excellence. Saying that the new model promises to drive “like a true Jaguar,” the new four-door GT features engineering characteristics inspired by past Jaguar icons, combining spirited performance with luxurious comfort.
When development began for the new model, engineers started by driving some of the most iconic cars in Jaguar’s history, like the E-type, XJS, and XJ. About this, JLR’s Engineering Director, Matt Becker, said, “At the outset we took the unusual step of spending time behind the wheel of great models from our past – to get under the skin of what truly makes a Jaguar. At its best, Jaguar has always delivered two characters – performance and comfort – in perfect harmony and our new luxury GT is no different. It embodies everything the brand stands for. Jaguar’s founder, Sir William Lyons, used to say that 'driving should be a joy not a chore'.”
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The “Spirit of Jaguar Drive,” which took place in May 2023, consisted of the XK120, the E-type, XJ Coupé V12, XJS and XJ Series I. Each car not only offered insight into the Jaguar DNA that needed to be imbued into the new car, but also showcased the through lines of design that are shared between them, like the low roofline and long hood that the new model showcases.
The XK120 taught the lesson of demonstrating superior performance while treating drivers to sumptuous interior treatment. The E-type, one of the most legendary grand tourers of all time, reminded engineers of Jaguar’s reputation of combining performance, luxury, and unforgettable design. The XJS was exemplary for its ability to comfort and excite during long-distance drives, and the XJ Series I epitomizes Jaguar’s combination of power and elegance.
Jaguar’s new model is said to combine all of these characteristics with cutting-edge technology and EV engineering, with over 1,000 horsepower and 959 lb/ft of torque on tap. That power is harnessed with solutions like highly advanced software for lightning-fast responses, and dynamic air suspension with twin-valve dampers for a compromise-free combination of compelling performance and relaxing comfort.
“Right from the start, our aim was to deliver a true Jaguar. To do that, we wanted to re‑examine the provenance of the brand and the best way to achieve this was to drive some of our greatest models from the past 90 years. It provided clear direction to help us create the most technically advanced Jaguar ever made,” says Rawdon Glover, Jaguar’s Managing Director. Set to be fully revealed this September, the new four-door GT from Jaguar promises to drive like no other electric car, embodying the duality of luxury and performance that has made Jaguar one of the most celebrated manufacturers throughout much of automotive history.
Image Source: JLR
