Jaguar's new EV officially revealed: Type 00 comes in Miami Pink or London Blue - would YOU snap one up?

Jaguar's new EV officially revealed: Type 00 comes in Miami Pink or London Blue - would YOU snap one up?
By: dailymail Posted On: December 03, 2024 View: 51

  • Jaguar bets the house on controversial 'jaw dropping' design called 'Type 00' that will inspire its upcoming EVs

The radical new all-electric Jaguar on which the legendary British car firm is gambling its very existence has finally been uncaged - and it's more pink panther than green Jaguar. 

Officially called the 'Type 00' (pronounced 'Zero Zero), the new vehicle - unveiled at a glitzy event in Miami, Florida - is a monumentally-styled and proportioned two-seat fast-back coupe stretching more than four metres.

The new concept car was leaked hours before it was due to be officially unveiled... but now, we can reveal the full details of the bold design direction for Jaguar. 

It features an enormously long bonnet, sweeping roofline, no rear window, two upwardly-mobile butterfly-wing doors, flush surfaces and a slatted panoramic roof.

Riding on vast 23-inch wheels and painted in a dramatic and 'exuberant' satin shade called 'Miami Pink', familiar Jaguar branding is now absent and replaced with new badges revealed last month as part of its plans to start from fresh as an exclusive EV maker and turn a corner on its century of heritage. 

Veering into more upmarket and luxurious car territory occupied by the likes of Audi, Tesla, Bentley and Aston Martin, the company describes the electric concept car as 'a fearless new face for Jaguar' and insists it is 'a copy of nothing'.

Jaguar is seeking to ditch its traditional customer-base perceived as middle-class, middle-aged, cigar-smoking, gin and tonic sipping golfers living in well-heeled enclaves of detached houses with gravel driveways, and epitomised by Inspector Morse and his classic red Mk II Jaguar.

Instead it is actively pursuing a younger, wealthier and more liberally progressive and diverse clientele prepared to spend double the current average £50,000 showroom price for a new Jaguar.

Only 15 per cent of its future clients will be existing customers with 85 per cent new to the brand, say bosses of the firm which is part of JLR, (formerly Jaguar Land Rover) now owned by Indian conglomerate Tata.

More pink panther than green Jaguar: The radical new all-electric concept from the legendary British car firm has officially been debuted - though leaked images on Monday had already showcased much of the radical electric vehicle in full
A pair of Type 00 concepts finished in different metallic shades - 'London Blue' and 'Miami Pink' - were showcased simultaneously at two gallery locations in Miami for the car to make its debut as part of the city's Art Week. Which would you choose?
The concept features an enormously long bonnet, sweeping roofline, no rear window and these dramatic upwardly-mobile butterfly-wing doors
Both examples showcased had matching interiors
Slide me

The pink Type 00 car is billed officially as a 'design vision concept' car – giving a strong clue to the styling direction of three new production cars that will follow in its tyre tracks.

The new era for Jaguar will start with a four-door GT grand tourer already seen in camouflage disguise on test set to be revealed in late 2025 ahead of first sales in 2026. 

It will have a promised electric-only range of 478 miles on a single charge and be able to add 200 miles with just 15 minutes of rapid charging. 

An electric SUV is also touted. 

The final model in Jaguar's relaunch tripod is likely to be a fastback in the nature of the Type 00 concept coupe.

The official Type 00 name – signalling 'zero emissions' and 'a copy of nothing' – suggests future sequenced production models will be called Type 01, Type 02 and Type 03 in a nod to the prefix for iconic models like the pioneering E-Type Jaguar of the 1960s, which the concept car's profile resembles in a stretched and exaggerated cartoonish manner.

However, Jaguar, whose origins go back 102 years with the Jaguar name used for 94 of them, has already stopped selling its existing line-up in the UK – meaning a gap of more than a year with no more Jaguars on sale in the UK. 

Chic new re-styled Jaguar showrooms are planned, but far fewer of them.

The company says the electric Type 00 concept is 'a fearless new face for Jaguar' and insists it is 'a copy of nothing'. Teaser images had shown the car to feature a rectangular rear section of straight, horizontal slats, which echo the new 'leaper' logo with a straight-lined background influenced by the IBM stamp. We know now these also include the rear lighting for the vehicle
Bulging rear wheel arches and haunches are matched by a full-width rear light arrangement hidden among the slatted tail section

Miami Pink or London Blue - what's your Miami Vice?

As revealed hours ago when leaked images surfaced online, Jaguar has produced two versions of its new Type 00.

They are finished in different metallic shades, which it calls 'Miami Pink' and 'London Blue', for the launch at two gallery locations in Miami as part of the city's Art Week.

Jaguar says the satin 'Miami Pink' is based on a colour called Rhodon Rose (Rhodon is Greek for rose). It was chosen 'in honour of the pastel colours of Miami's iconic Art Deco architecture'.

A second version of the car in a silver-blue shade called 'London Blue' is inspired by the Opalescent Silver Blue of the 1960s 'and was chosen to reflect Jaguar's British roots'.

Jaguar said: 'Just as a pair of E-Types attended its 1961 launch at the Geneva Motor Show, the reveal of the Type 00 celebrates two contrasting interpretations of Jaguar's new design vision.'

Stretching more than four metres long but just over a metre high, the new low-slung Jaguar EV exhibits almost cartoon-like proportions and styling inside and out.

Design chiefs say their new cars follows a philosophy they call 'exuberant modernism' and recaptures the 'copy nothing' ethos of Jaguar founder Sir William Lyons.

Commenting on the Type 00, Jaguar's chief creative officer, Gerry McGovern (pictured), said: ‘Some may love it now. Some may love it later. And some may never love it. And that’s OK. Because that’s what fearless creativity does. This is the original essence of Jaguar’

Jaguar’s chief creative officer Gerry McGovern said the new generation EVs would be ‘the most powerful Jaguars ever’ capable of 1,000 horsepower.

He also welcomed and encouraged the controversy the company had created in relaunching the brand and the car with ‘an uncompromising creative approach’ and accepted this would polarise opinion, but doubled-down: ‘At our very best we have never conformed.’

McGovern added: ‘Jaguar has no desire to be loved by everybody, it has already stirred emotions and it will continue to.

‘Some may love it now. Some may love it later. And some may never love it. And that’s OK. Because that’s what fearless creativity does. This is the original essence of Jaguar.’

He noted: ‘Controversy has always surrounded British creativity when it has been at its best’.

Citing music legend David Bowie, fashion designer Vivienne Westwood and architect Sir Richard Rogers among his own ‘creative heroes’, he said: ‘They were British trailblazers who challenged convention and had no desire to copy the norm.

'In the same way, when Jaguar was at its best, it threw away the rule book and created the E-Type and the XJS.

‘These were objects of desire.’

Highlighting how Jaguar founder Sir William Lyons said his cars should be ‘ a copy of nothing’, McGovern said: ‘Type 00 is the first physical manifestation of the new Jaguar brand that is influenced by the desire to recapture the essence of Jaguar’s original creative conviction. This is a taste of things to come.’

He added: ‘For me it has been an honour to lead the creative reimagining of this great British brand.’

Despite McGovern's optimism, the reaction to the Jaguar Type 00 online has seen plenty of comparisons drawn to Lady Penelope's FAB1 Rolls-Royce from Thunderbirds and the Panthermobile from Pink Panther.

A long extended bonnet is the start of a sweeping and exaggerated coupe or fastback-like profile, providing a wide low-slung stance and cockpit
Riding on these vast 23-inch wheels and painted in a dramatic and ¿exuberant¿ satin shade called ¿Miami Pink¿, familiar Jaguar branding is now absent and replaced with new badges revealed last month as part of its plans to start from fresh as an exclusive EV maker, effectively turning a corner on its century-long heritage
Pronounced 'Zero Zero, Jaguar says its a monumentally-styled and proportioned two-seat fast-back coupe stretches more than four metres long
Reaction to the Jaguar Type 00 concept unveiling online has seen some draw comparison to Lady Penelope's FAB1 Rolls-Royce from Thunderbirds
Others have posted online to say it is reminiscent of the Panthermobile from the TV series Pink Panther

Jaguar Type 00: Exterior

'Copy of nothing' is very accurate for the Type 00, which is like no Jaguar - or car from any other brand - we've seen before. 

The 'face' comprises a flat, solid and dominant modernist front grille with sharp razor-like headlights (looking not unlike Iron Man's helmet from Marvel comics and movies). The horizontal lines of the grille (reflected on the rear) are the new Jaguar symbol.

A long extended bonnet is the start of a sweeping and exaggerated coupe or fastback-like profile, providing a wide low-slung stance and cockpit.

Butterfly-wing (or gullwing) doors open up either side, along with a 'pantograph' glassless tailgate to reveal the 'modernist' interior.

Bulging rear wheel arches and haunches are matched by a full-width rear light arrangement hidden among the slatted tail section.

Charging ports and front air intakes remain hidden behind the bodywork until needed.

There's no conventional rear glass window in the tailgate, nor traditional reflective wing mirrors. Instead, hidden digital cameras pop-out 'theatrically' to scan the road behind and feed the image to the driver via a screen where an interior mirror would normally be.

The pop-out cameras sit behind brass-finished plates or 'ingots' - either side of the car's front flanks.

A re-designed Jaguar 'leaper' symbol is laser-etched into each hand finished brass ingot, within a pattern of horizontal lines. The lines are inspired by early IBM logos. These brass plaques are called the 'Makers Marks'.

Jaguar says: 'Consisting of the newly reimagined Jaguar 'leaper' that is our precious mark of provenance. Always leaping forward, it is a representation of excellence and hallmark of the brand.'

A panoramic glazed roof is 'harmonised' with the body of the car using horizontal lines.

There¿s no conventional rear glass window in the tailgate, nor traditional reflective wing mirrors. Instead, hidden digital cameras pop-out ¿theatrically¿ to scan the road behind and feed the image to the driver via a screen where an interior mirror would normally be. The pop-out cameras sit behind brass-finished plates or ¿ingots¿ - either side of the car¿s front flank
The concept car features a panoramic glazed roof that is ¿harmonised¿ with the body of the car using horizontal lines that are continued into the top section of the huge bonnet
The Type 00 has a few tricks up its sleeve; this includes a concealed compartment in the car¿s door. This stores a special case for valuables

Flat body panels have echoes Tesla's Cybertruck - itself one of the most controversial models to enter the market.

It has a few tricks up its sleeve, too...

A secret concealed compartment in the car's door stores a special case for valuables.

The artificially-generated electronic sound of the electric car is ethereal.

The Type 00 concepts interior might look minimalist here, but this is the setup when the vehicle is not in use...
When the car is being driven, a pair of stowed digital dashboard screens can pop up for the driver and passenger
Although the car aspires to be environmentally-friendly and ¿green¿, the shaped ¿floating¿ seats are made of polyurethane ¿ a strong plastic. Leather seats will also be available
Three hand-finished brass lines run the length of the interior, with a central 3.2-metre long brass spine that splits the pair of floating instrument panels

Jaguar Type 00: Interior 

Two stowed digital dashboard screens can pop up for the driver and passenger.

Powered stowage areas slide open on demand revealing splashes of colour.

Three key materials from the interior are: brass, travertine stone, and textiles - including a wool blend interior trim.

Although the car aspires to be environmentally-friendly and 'green', the shaped 'floating' seats are made of polyurethane – a strong plastic. Leather seats will also be available.

Three hand-finished brass lines run the length of the interior, with a central 3.2-metre long brass spine that splits the pair of floating instrument panels.

Occupants can change the interior 'mood' – including the lighting, soundscape, tailored screen graphics, and even scents.

Can the Type 00 concept turn public opinion around? 

The cars' unveiling in Florida, attended by 'influencers' and celebrities, comes after Jaguar bosses admitted going out of their way to court controversy with a similarly 'exuberant' but polarising rebranding and marketing campaign designed to get the car-firm 'talked about'.

This included a surreal 30-second online social media advert featuring a diverse range of exuberantly dressed models in brightly coloured costumes and flowing robes on a barren rocky pink alien landscape resembling Mars - but no actual car – with slogans such as: 'create exuberant', 'live vivid', 'delete ordinary', 'break moulds' and 'copy nothing'.

However, despite Jaguar executives doubling-down and crowing that it was 'mission accomplished' on their aim of generating controversy and publicity, the in-house rebranding also triggered a global backlash from critics, petrol heads and Jaguar owners who dismissed it as 'ridiculous', 'woke', 'weird', 'unhinged', and 'a car crash in slow motion.' 

Others said Jaguar had 'lost the plot' and 'hit the self-destruct button'.

The tsunami of unfavourable comment, ridicule, and cringeworthy jokes, spoofs, and parodies on social media, has included excoriating side-swipes from rival Tesla founder Elon Musk; leading US podcaster Joe Rogan; Times columnist and former 'Jaguar Ambassador' Giles Coren - and even The Guardian.

Leading classic Jaguar enthusiast and owner' clubs said it was 'wokery gone crazy' and accused Jaguar bosses of committing 'commercial suicide' and of having a 'death wish' for the century-old firm which they'd made into a global 'laughing stock'.

The cars¿ unveiling in Florida comes after Jaguar bosses admitted going out of their way to court controversy with a similarly ¿exuberant¿ but polarising rebranding and marketing campaign designed to get the car-firm ¿talked about¿
The rebrand garnered plenty of criticism, not least the surreal 30-second online social media advert featuring a diverse range of exuberantly dressed models in brightly coloured costumes and flowing robes on a barren rocky pink alien landscape resembling Mars - but no actual car

Jaguar managing director Rawdon Glover said some of the criticism displayed a 'level of vile hatred and intolerance'.

He also hit back at critical comments by Reform Party leader Nigel Farage - who predicted Jaguar 'will now go bust' - noting: 'The average age of the Jaguar client is quite old and getting older. We've got to access a completely different audience.

'That audience isn't centred around people of the demographic of Mr Farage.'

Jaguar's top executives and design chiefs stressed from the outset that the radical rebranding is designed to 'shock, surprise and polarise', to 'divide opinion' and create a stir.

Executives say they are starting from 'a clean sheet' to reinvent the company because most of its future customers, it argues, don't even know about current Jaguar or its rich heritage

They are gambling the leaping-cat car firm's ninth and final life as they bet the house on what they call a 'reimagining' of both a controversial new brand identity - and an equally bold and radical new family of EV cars.

They admit there is 'no plan B'.

Jaguar also plans to slash its UK dealership network by around 75 per cent from 80 to around 20 concentrated in the most affluent areas - as part of its radical plans to go electric-only in 2026, selling around 60,000 cars a year of its new more expensive line up, say bosses.

It's first new-style boutique brand store will be in the luxury fashion district of Paris's 8th arrondissement.

The revamp will see Jaguar go head-to-head with rival EV heavyweights including the Audi e-tron GT, Mercedes EQS, Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model S.

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