The New Electric Jaguar Has Over 1,000 Horsepower. Does It Even Matter?

Jaguar is in no rush to nominate itself as a super iconic brand. Although it’s under the same model, the aging F-Pace, the struggling company is bringing the Type 00 to market. Time sure does fly, considering it’s been a little over a year since the concept ended, signaling a complete departure from the old ways. The camouflage will finally end sometime next year, but deliveries won’t start until 2027.

In the meantime, Jaguar is providing a rare update on its progress in development and testing. It has dropped key technical specifications to say “X900” internally. The extravagant grand tourer will have more than 1,000 horsepower from three electric motors: one in the front and two in the rear. We’re told it will have a rear-biased setup with a 30:70 torque split, though the ratio will vary.

As you can imagine, this will be a very heavy car. While the exact weight remains a mystery, Jaguar is targeting less than 2,750 kilograms (6,062 pounds), split evenly between the two axles. Measuring five meters (196.8 inches) long and riding on standard 23-inch wheels, the new-age Jug will have a commanding presence.

Its stately allure is accentuated by an imposingly long hood that seems to beg for a large-displacement combustion engine. However, the Tata Motors-owned company has made it clear that it is bidding farewell to snow, and putting all its eggs in the EV basket. At the rear, it features a tailgate, effectively making it a hatchback. A cutout in the camouflage for the fifth door reveals a narrow tailgate opening, potentially obstructing access to the cargo area.

Photo by: Jaguar

At the heart of Jaguar’s long-nosed Electric GT will be a remarkable battery pack, which Autocar The estimate is 120 kW. On a full charge, the first of a new wave of fancy models featuring the Leaping Cat will manage 400 miles (644 km), presumably in the W WLTP cycle. The vehicle is built on a bespoke platform aimed exclusively at EVs. Top gear Shotgun in a prototype and it was found to have the same air suspension and twin valve damping as the Range Rover.

Given the vehicle’s grandeur and massive wheelbase, the inclusion of rear-wheel steering is not surprising. Jaguar has engineered the rear wheels to run at a maximum angle of six degrees opposite the front wheels to tighten the turning circle. Not that many owners will ever test speed, but Piston heads One of the prototypes easily reached 160 mph (257 km/h) thanks to the noise cancellation.

Managing Director Roden Glover told our sister site inpentevs That Jaguar built 150 prototypes and that the final design was frozen. The test fleet is currently being evaluated around the world under extreme conditions. When it’s ready to go on sale, the happy EV will start at $120,000, with order books opening next summer.

Photo by: Jaguar

It remains to be seen whether the four-digit horsepower figure will entice buyers. Whatever the case, Jaguar has accepted that it will likely alienate most of its existing customers. Earlier this year, Glover estimated that only 15 percent of Type 00 buyers were returning clients. In other words, 85 percent will be new to the brand.

Moving into a higher price tier than past models will have a direct impact on sales. Jaguar is already on a slippery slope, ceasing production of all but one model. It delivered just 33,000 cars last year, compared to 181,500 in 2018.

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Source: Jaguar

Based on the latest data from European Automobile Manufacturers AssociationIn 2025, the number will be even lower. During October, Jaguar registrations fell 86.2 percent to 2,845 units in 27 EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Global figures are not available, but all signs point to much worse by 2025.

The new Jaguar will no longer prioritize sales volume. Instead, it will aim for higher profit margins. It’s too early to say whether it can make real money on an EV, given that it’s notoriously more expensive than combustion engine cars. With a remarkably bold design, unusual looks, and high price tag, the Exotic GT is a risky bet. The controversial marketing campaign that signaled the Jug’s new direction only adds to the uncertainty.