Jaguar is due to re-launch next year with electric cars aimed at Bentley and Porsche – not BMW and Audi – starting with this four-door sedan.
Jaguar has previewed the first new model under its brand re-launch – which will see it exclusively offer more expensive electric cars at Bentley and Porsche prices – ahead of next year’s launch.
Images provided to overseas media, including Car and Driver, show a camouflaged example of the new Jaguar electric sedan undergoing testing in the United Kingdom.
The Chrysler 300-like ‘grille’ is part of the camouflage designed to hide the car’s design from onlookers – but its large dimensions and long bonnet are clearly visible.
The as-yet-unnamed four-door electric model will be a spiritual successor to the full-size XJ, which was discontinued in 2019 after a 51-year run.
An electric take on the XJ was under development until the project was canned in February 2021 as the model was deemed out of step with Jaguar’s intention to move up as a rival for Bentley, Porsche and Maserati instead of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
The axed XJ electric successor was developed as a rival to models like the Mercedes-Benz EQS and BMW i7, but the British marque is aiming higher than the big three German brands with its new range.
The electric sedan now in development is instead intended to rival more expensive models like the Porsche Taycan, Cadillac Celestiq and Mercedes-Maybach EQS.
A near-production concept will reportedly debut at the Miami Art Week in the United States in December 2024 – showcasing a new design language for the brand – ahead of the luxury model’s planned launch in 2025.
Motor1 reports Jaguar will also reveal three additional concept vehicles at the event next month.
Jaguar will reportedly launch two other models alongside the flagship limo – a sports sedan and a luxury SUV – with the vehicles to be underpinned by a new JEA electric-car platform built from the ground up.
MORE: Jaguar electric-car reboot to include flagship super sedan by 2025 – report
The traditional Jaguar leaping cat logo will reportedly be ditched for ‘J-A-G-U-A-R’ lettering,
“It has a substantial road presence. In terms of proportions, it is very far from what we do today,” said Jaguar boss Rawdon Glover.
“To get there, I divided the design team into three groups. Within three months they produced 17 full-size models with different design languages, some were familiar, others looked like something out of science fiction movies.
“The design language we chose is exuberant. Just think of something that will be really different on the road. And in December we will unveil our new design language.”
To prepare for the switch, Jaguar has axed the XE and XF sedans, the F-Type coupe and the I-Pace electric SUV, with the E-Pace and F-Pace SUVs soon to reach the end of the line.
More details on Jaguar’s next-generation line-up will be confirmed next month.
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