After Volvo announced that it will be adding electric motors to all its future vehicles starting in 2019, Jaguar is now following with a similar initiative starting in 2020.
Furthermore, the British automaker unveiled an E-Type equipped with an all-electric powertrain and a new ‘2040’ electric concept – displaying a non-existent 72 years of electric cars.
Of course, like with Volvo’s announcement, it’s already being reported as “Jaguar Land Rover to make only electric or hybrid cars from 2020”, like The Guardian‘s headline.
But what Dr Ralf Speth, Jaguar Land Rover’s chief executive, actually said is:
“Every new Jaguar Land Rover model line will be electrified from 2020, giving our customers even more choice.”
That’s just like Volvo’s announcement. They are not going away with gas-powered cars but only introducing new models with electric powertrains starting in 2020. They will basically be adding electric powertrains to all new car lines.
It’s a significant announcement, but not as important as some headlines would lead you to believe.
In order to give a glimpse at Jaguar’s electric future, which will start with the all-electric I-Pace crossover next year, the automaker actually electrified a vehicle of the past: a 1968 Series 1.5 Jaguar E-type Roadster.
They converted the iconic vehicle to electric propulsion with a 40kWh battery that enables a ‘real world’ range of 270km (about 170 miles), according to the company.
“An electric powertrain developing 220kW has been specially designed for the E-type Zero. Its lithium-ion battery pack has the same dimensions, and similar weight, to the XK six-cylinder engine used in the original E-type. The experts responsible for developing the electric powertrain have ensured it will be placed in precisely the same location as the XK engine. The electric motor (and reduction gear) lies just behind the battery pack, in the same location as the E-type’s gearbox. A new propshaft sends power to a carry-over differential and final drive. Total weight is 46kg lower than the original E-type.”
Here are a few pictures of what was updated to allow the electric conversion:
The show car, now dubbed ‘E-type Zero’, is making its world debut during Jaguar Land Rover Tech Fest at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts from 8-10 September.
Here’s a quick video about the car:
Jaguar Land Rover went 40 years back, but also 20 years in the future with a new electric concept vehicle.
Ian Callum, Director of Design at Jaguar, said about the vehicle called ‘Future-Type’:
“FUTURE-TYPE offers an insight into the potential for driving and car ownership in the future. It’s part of our vision for how a luxury car brand could continue to be desirable, in a more digital and autonomous age. Our FUTURE-TYPE Concept is an advanced research project looking at how we can ensure an on-demand Jaguar will appeal to customers in 2040 and beyond. Whether it’s commuting to work, autonomously collecting children from school or enjoying driving yourself on the weekend in the countryside, if there’s a choice of on-demand cars driving around city streets, we need to ensure customers desire our 24/7 service over our competitors.”
They revealed a few images:
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