Jaguar doubles down on EV-only relaunch, dismisses hybrid talk

Jaguar has moved to shut down reports suggesting it is hedging its electric-only relaunch with a petrol-powered alternative, insisting its strategy remains unchanged.

The claims centred on the forthcoming Jaguar Type 00, the electric GT that will spearhead the marque’s rebirth later this year. A weekend report, attributed to a source close to the project, suggested engineers had been asked to develop a petrol-engined or range-extender option to sit alongside the car’s electric powertrain.

According to that account, the move was driven by concern about relaunching Jaguar exclusively with electric models at a time when demand for premium EVs has softened.

Jaguar Land Rover has now dismissed that suggestion.

A JLR spokesperson, speaking on behalf of the company, said Jaguar’s direction has not shifted.

‘Our plans to reinvent Jaguar as an electric-only luxury automotive brand are unchanged. Last month prototype passenger rides received overwhelmingly positive reactions from global media and we are looking forward to unveiling the first new electric Jaguar later this year.’

Jaguar committed to an all-electric future at the end of 2024, with production of its internal combustion-engined models, including the F-Pace SUV, ending in early 2025. The Type 00 will be the first production model launched under the brand’s new positioning.

Autocar recently experienced the production-spec car for the first time during a passenger ride at JLR’s Gaydon headquarters, describing it as the ‘best-riding car ever’, a verdict that underlines the confidence within the business that the new direction extends beyond branding alone.

The GT will be joined by a saloon and an SUV by the end of 2027, forming the initial three-car line-up for Jaguar’s electric-only era.

For now, the message from Coventry is clear. Jaguar is not hedging its bets.