Jaguar's Type 00: A Bold Reset for the Leaping Cat

Jaguar has officially declared its future: no internal combustion engines by 2025 and an entirely reimagined identity beginning with the Type 00. Unveiled at the recent Miami Art Week, this concept car is the first glimpse of Jaguar’s ambitious all-electric pivot – a decisive break from tradition, extending to its design, ethos, and even its colour palette.

Gone is the classic British Racing Green, replaced by hues like “Miami Pink” and “London Blue.” These pastel tones feel worlds apart from the deep, dignified greens and silvers associated with Jaguar’s heritage. But was it necessary to completely abandon the brand’s iconic past? Imagine the Type 00 cloaked in a modern interpretation of Racing Green – it could bridge the gap between Jaguar’s storied legacy and its electric ambitions.

Yet, for all its reinvention, the Type 00 nods faintly to its ancestors. The long bonnet and sloping roofline evoke memories of the E-Type, that legendary blend of beauty and speed. Even so, the leaping Jaguar bonnet ornament – a hallmark of grace and motion – has been relegated to etched panels and rear-facing cameras. This subtlety might disappoint purists, but the design team insists that the departure was deliberate. Richard Stevens, Jaguar’s Design Director, describes the concept as “imposing versus seductive,” with a brutalist architecture influence to mark its electrified future.

Design That Divides

The Type 00 doesn’t whisper; it demands attention. Its sharp lines, low stance, and exaggerated proportions seem sculpted from stone, embodying the brand’s “Copy Nothing” mantra. The strikethrough horizontal bars on the front and rear fascias stand out, though the narrow headlamp slits might alienate those yearning for the creative round lamps of Jaguar’s past. This is a car designed to provoke, not to pander.

Inside, the cabin is a theatrical display of luxury excess. Locally sourced brass, travertine, and alabaster form the “totems” that activate personalised lighting, soundscapes, and fragrances. A central spine bisects the cabin, housing fold-away screens and offering a glimpse into Jaguar’s futuristic vision of automotive interiors. It’s undeniably striking, but one wonders: in prioritising avant-garde aesthetics, has Jaguar overlooked the practicality that loyalists appreciate?

The Future Beckons

Mechanically, details are sparse, but Jaguar promises up to 430 miles of range and rapid charging capabilities, allowing 200 miles in just 15 minutes. The production Type 00 – a four-door GT – will follow in 2026, supported by two additional electric models. But the real question is whether Jaguar’s affluent target market, accustomed to timeless elegance, will embrace this radical new identity.

In redefining itself for “high-net-worth individuals,” Jaguar isn’t just abandoning internal combustion; it’s shedding the gangster-chic aura of XJs and S-Types. The Type 00 aims to compete with the Rolls-Royce Spectre and Tesla Model S Plaid, targeting a more global, fashion-forward clientele. The first of its exclusive brand stores will open in Paris, signalling a pivot to curated experiences over traditional dealerships.

A Leap Into the Unknown

Jaguar’s Type 00 is undeniably polarising. It challenges preconceptions, sparks debate, and repositions the brand in a world that prioritises sustainability and cutting-edge design. Whether this bold reset will resonate with buyers remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Jaguar of the future is here, and it’s not looking back. Would it have hurt, though, to sprinkle in a bit more of the past – perhaps with a racing-green exterior or a resurrected bonnet ornament? That’s a question only time, and sales, will answer.