Spirit of Jaguar Drive – From Classics to EV

Jaguar engineers revisited greatness before beginning work on the brand's reimagined future. To appreciate the dynamic essence of what makes a true Jaguar, they started the development journey by driving iconic models from its past. Only then could they embody this feeling in the reimagined luxury four-door GT. The new Jaguar embodies two characters in one car: an engaging drive with deep reserves of power, plus refinement and composure. This duality also defines the DNA of the Jaguar E-Type, XJS, and XJ series – some of the cars driven by the team in May 2023. The 'Spirit of Jaguar Drive' experience confirmed distinctive driving attributes inherent in the brand – deep reserves of power with refinement and composure. These are essential to the new Jaguar four-door GT, along with a long bonnet and low roofline that provide a clear visual link to great models of the past while defying the EV design norm. Jaguar engineers drove the XK120, E-Type, XJ Coupé V12, XJS, and XJ Series I. Each offered a visceral demonstration of the brand’s provenance – of what would make the new luxury GT a true Jaguar. The XK120, composed on the road, demonstrated that the new GT must provide a cosseting cabin that shrinks around the driver. It must also surpass current performance levels in its class. The E-Type remains an exceptional representation of Jaguar. Comfortable and relaxing, yet fast with accessible performance, it showed you should never arrive unnoticed in a Jaguar. Designed to travel long distances at pace, the XJS left today’s engineers feeling refreshed and energised. This translates into the new GT, with its ability to carve through corners and cross continents in complete confidence. The XJ Series I epitomises characteristics central to the future of Jaguar – power in reserve with exceptional refinement. To faithfully capture the spirit of Jaguar, engineers have put the new GT through a demanding real-world and virtual development schedule. Testing in extreme conditions and environments around the globe, and in the digital realm, has allowed Jaguar to refine its distinct driving character and develop a suite of in-house propulsion technologies for a four-door GT that drives like no other electric car. Intelligent torque vectoring and tri motor technology, delivering more than 1,000PS and over 1,300Nm of torque, put power where and when it’s needed with embedded software that responds in as little as one millisecond for an engaging and rewarding drive. Dynamic air suspension works alongside twin valve active dampers to finesse ride comfort. Composure is never compromised.