Jaguar has opened the doors of its new all-electric Type 01, giving us our first proper look at the radical interior before the whole car is unveiled in New York on 6 October.
I’ve already been allowed inside, and first impressions are of a stunning, high-quality cabin that sticks closely to Jaguar’s “copy nothing” mantra. The layout is clean and simple, the materials feel suitably special and the Jaguar branding is subtle rather than shouted from every surface.
The biggest surprise is what isn’t there. The Type 01 has no rear window, so there’s no conventional rear-view mirror either. Cameras take care of the view behind, feeding a digital display positioned much farther forward at the base of the windscreen and at the same height as the door mirrors.
open image in galleryThat location makes it easier to glance at than a screen hanging in the usual mirror position, although the absence of a proper mirror is still likely to divide opinion.
Look up and there’s a wonderful full-length panoramic glass roof. It stretches as far back as possible over the heads of those in the rear, with only the need for a roof aerial interrupting the view at the back.
Running through the middle of the cabin is a huge central spine, which looks chunky enough to support the entire weight of the car. It also makes this strictly a four-seater, creating a separate space for each person, although there appears to be plenty of room for rear passengers.
The spine gives the cabin a strong front-to-back theme, too, rather than the more usual, broad, horizontal dashboards found in so many electric cars.
From the driver’s seat, the Type 01 feels spacious without leaving you isolated from the car. The low driving position is comfortable, while the minimalist seats may look simple, but feel supportive. A slim main screen is clear and easy to read, with a second display offering useful shortcut keys that are likely to be hidden until you need them.
Jaguar says the cabin takes inspiration from travertine stone and handmade textiles. A brass finish runs along that central spine and is repeated across the tops of the doors, where discreet Jaguar leaper badges sit among some unusual textures and more hidden technology.
open image in galleryThere are concealed storage areas and flashes of colour, while the dashboard and bonnet are designed to look as if they flow into one another with Jaguar’s strikethrough motif carried from bonnet to dash. It’s dramatic, but the cabin doesn’t feel fussy and it’s certainly not overloaded with screens.
Chief interior designer, Thomas Holden, said: “Our holistic design philosophy translates the vehicle’s exterior presence into a distinctive interior architecture. In contrast to the horizontal interior design norm, we emphasise its dramatic longitudinal nature through the central spine – an architectural statement that creates four individual spaces. With authentic materials, technology on demand and reductive flowing surfaces, Type 01 presents unmistakable drama and theatre that will define the modern luxury automotive interior of the future.”
The Type 01 will be a luxury four-door GT and the first production Jaguar to use the brand’s dedicated electric car platform. It has been designed, developed and will be built in the UK. The “Type” name nods to Jaguar’s past, with “0” standing for zero tailpipe emissions and “1” marking the first of a new generation.
open image in galleryJaguar managing director Rawdon Glover said: “Jaguar Type 01 is the first production car to follow our new creative philosophy. Unmistakable from every angle, the interior is no different. With Type 01, we wanted every journey to be an occasion, from how it drives to how it looks and how it makes you feel. With a confidence-inspiring GT driving position, clean and sophisticated technology and dramatic styling, Type 01 has an interior like no other.”
A Type 01 prototype will make its North American debut in a new wrap during Monterey Car Week, ending with an appearance at the Pebble Beach Concours on 16 August. The full reveal of the car will be at a lavish event set for 6 October in New York City.