Jaguar Type 01: Mit diesem Modell wagt Jaguar den radikalen Neuanfang

Jaguar has unveiled its first electric vehicle, the Type 01 Gran Turismo, marking a radical new beginning for the traditionally male-dominated British brand. Priced at £130,000 (approximately €153,500), the luxury vehicle is part of Jaguar Land Rover's (JLR) ambitious shift towards electric mobility. Production of the Type 01 is expected to begin in early 2027, more than two years after Jaguar ceased selling new cars in the UK as part of a strategic realignment.

The decision to discontinue production was part of a broader repositioning strategy to attract younger customers and focus on upscale electric vehicles, a radical departure from Jaguar's history of catering primarily to middle-aged male clients and serving as a British government vehicle. The company's first electric model faced criticism upon its announcement in 2024, with traditionalists decrying the absence of visual representations of the actual vehicle.

Initial online videos of the Type 01 have generated a range of reactions, from criticism of its "monotony" and resemblance to a common Chinese electric car, to praise for its "beauty" and "greatness." Jaguar is not alone in facing skepticism; Ferrari's first electric model, the Luce, also drew significant criticism. In contrast, Bentley opted for a traditional design approach in their first battery-electric vehicle to avoid controversy.

However, Jaguar needs a fundamental renewal, as Jaguar Land Rover (JLR)'s parent company has been focusing on more profitable SUV segments, particularly in the United States, where Jaguar's market share has dwindled. Jaguar ceased production of all models, except the F-Pace SUV, in December 2024, retaining only the F-Pace for export to the UK.

Jaguar, known for classics like the E-Type, stated that the company is "a vital part of Jaguar Land Rover's growth story." The move to an all-electric lineup was announced by JLR in early 2021, despite challenging market conditions for luxury electric vehicles, particularly in the United States, where skepticism towards electric cars remains high.

Even in Europe, where electric vehicles are more prevalent, there are still reservations about phasing out internal combustion engines entirely. Nonetheless, sales of electric vehicles have increased recently. Jaguar is set to manufacture the Type 01 in its Solihull plant, with electric drive units and battery packs supplied from the nearby Wolverhampton facility.

The vehicle is expected to have an electric range of up to 644 kilometers and can charge to 322 kilometers within 13 minutes at a fast-charging station. The Type 01 is projected to accelerate to 100 kilometers per hour in 3.2 seconds. Despite the new model, Jaguar is expected to produce only a limited number due to overall production cuts, with JLR announcing the reduction of 4,000 jobs.

The brand will continue to face challenges, including US tariffs, the aftermath of a cyberattack that crippled production, and intense competition, including from Chinese manufacturers. Jaguar is set to unveil its first electric Range Rover soon, further demonstrating the company's commitment to electric mobility.