Fresh details on Jaguar’s rebirth

The GT will be the first of a series of radical EVs that utilise the brand’s dynamic heritage, according to Jaguar boss, Rawden Glover.

The electric four-door GT that sets the ball rolling again for Jaguar is due for a year-end reveal. It will go into production in H2 of 2026.

Glover said the 735kW GT is now testing on public roads, at Jaguar’s Gaydon proving ground and in the Arctic Circle.

He said the focus so far has been on rebrand the design for Jaguar. Soon the company will talk more about product.

To date, development has been very different from before, he says. Previously, it was based around the platform. Now Jaguar designs the look and then engineers it from there.

Careful consideration has been given to crash testing and aero needed to achieve nearly 700km range for the four-door GT.

The engineers have to meet these goals and maintain Jaguar’s reputation of producing a driver’s car. Jaguar aims to make a GT that “you can drive confidently at pace for extended periods and still come out feeling great”.

Glover has driven the prototype at speed and said “it was the most fun I’ve had” since arriving at Jaguar. “It was stunning in terms of its speed, its acceleration, its performance, but also how it delivered the power with a real sense of character,” he added. “The chassis team is really excited about the possibilities of the vehicle.”

The new GT will use existing electric motors and a battery pack developed by JLR. As to how close the production car is to the concept, “there is strong lineage”. “People will not be disappointed”.

On the interior, Glover said Jaguar won’t be “bombarding the driver with technology. The technology is there when you need it.” 

Despite many pulling back on EV plans, Glover said “there is no flexibility” in the Jaguar plan to do anything other than full EVs. All new Jaguars will be built on the EV-bespoke Jaguar Electric Architecture (JEA). There is no possibility for hybrids.

Glover believes “EV will be the right platform for us and the powertrain of choice” in the industry long term. JEA will take Jaguar deep into the 2030s and “a lot of things will change” by then around range and charging, said Glover. “Advancements in technology and infrastructure are going to make a big difference.”

“What we need to do is produce a vehicle that people think is a great car that they really want to own. The powertrain should be a secondary thing,” he said.

Glover said: “The GT’s job is to say: Jaguar is here and can command a price point in excess of £100,000, because the product concept and the brand is capable of doing that.

“Our most important job is to make a car that’s desirable, resonates with people and elicits an emotional reaction. Nobody needs a £100,000 car. You’ve got to want one.” 

The £100,000 price will not be lowered over time.

Order books for the GT will open once it is unveiled. This will be a “very, very bespoke experience” and targeted at people who have expressed an interest in the concept car.

The GT will be followed by a large luxury saloon and an SUV. All will have the same “exuberant” design language.

“The other vehicles access a slightly broader audience. They have different roles.”