'Copy of nothing': New era begins for Jaguar with imposing new R2.85 million Type 01 saloon

Jaguar has officially unveiled its highly anticipated all-electric Type 01, completing the brand's remarkable rebirth that began two years ago with the controversial concept Type 00. After initially being named GT, the production model has been rebranded as the Type 01 to signify the start of a new era for the iconic British automaker. Based on an all-electric 850-volt JEA or Jaguar Electrical Architecture (JEA) platform, the Type 01 will be used as the foundation for all upcoming Jaguar models.

The Type 01 is a four-door, four-seat GT, with a design that combines a sloping coupe-inspired roof and a four-seat configuration. Powered by a new 118-kWh battery pack, the vehicle delivers a total output of 757kW/1,365Nm, with three electric motors propelling the car from 0 to 100km/h in just 3.2 seconds. The Type 01 boasts a remarkable range of 720km on a single charge, and up to 320km after 13 minutes of charging at a DC charger with 350kW capacity. The charging time from 30-80% is estimated to take 22 minutes, even with a 400-volt charge.

Under the sleek exterior lies a host of advanced features, including a new adaptive damper air suspension system, all-wheel steering, a 50/50 weight distribution, and active torque vectoring between the three electric motors. The vehicle offers five driving modes, including Efficient, Jaguar, Dynamic, Ice & Snow, and Curated, and offers boot space ranging from 450 to 1,000 liters. Styling references the 1930s streamliner era, with a focus on aerodynamics that can generate 75kg of downforce at 155km/h.

Inside the cabin, the Type 01 showcases a minimalist design reminiscent of earlier prototypes, with a complete absence of physical switchgear. Instead, seven-inch smartphone-style central display serves as the hub for all controls, replacing traditional physical buttons and switches. The central display features a 24-inch OLED binnacle called the Interactive Driver Display, while the dashboard maintains a flat surface without additional displays.

The headlining features include a pair of wireless smartphone chargers, a 38-speaker Meridian sound system, and a fragrance diffuser. The vehicle is set to go on sale in the United Kingdom early next year, priced at £130,000, which is equivalent to R2,858,940 without taxes in South Africa. As of now, Jaguar South Africa has not approved the Type 01 for the local market.