British automaker Jaguar reportedly plans to beat Bentley with new premium-priced electric vehicles, including a four-seat luxury sedan EV to supersede the iconic XJ model.
The move is part of the company’s efforts to ensure its survival in the rapidly evolving EV industry.
Jaguar to become an all-electric brand with three new EV models by 2024
Jaguar recently disclosed plans to launch three new battery-electric vehicles to compete with established brands Bentley and Porsche.
UK automotive platform Autocar reports that one of the EVs in the pipeline is a large flagship sedan to displace the conventional vehicle, XJ.
The three models will apparently ride on the JEA electric platform. The report suggests that the lineup includes a premium SUV, a “four-seat GT [sports sedan or SUV],” and “an imposing limousine conceived in the mould of the XJ.”
“When we launch our new JEA platform, the change from today on Jaguar is very dramatic. We don’t want older-looking cars and newer-looking cars.”
JLR CEO Adrian Mardell
In addition, the planned EV models will not utilize the iconic leaping jaguar logo. They will instead feature a simpler J-A-G-U-A-R design.
What’s currently known about the electric supercar?
The source further indicated that the supercar EV will be an all-wheel drive model. It will also have “no less than” 335kW capacity.
Moreover, it can also accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3-3.8 seconds.
Reports suggest that the new EV would have a price range of £100,000 ($AU195,000) to £125,000 ($AU250,000). However, the brand has yet to confirm these figures.
The yet-to-be-named model would reportedly undergo production in the following two years. It will also apparently not be the first offering in the brand’s next-gen model range. Its production and the four-door GT sedan will reportedly start in 2024.
Jaguar’s 2022 performance
Jaguar’s global vehicle sales only reached 61,661 units in 2022. That number represents a 28% decline in 2021, 40% in 2020, and 66% from its 2018 peak of 180,833 units.
In the Australian automotive market, Jaguar only sold 700 units in 2022 from 2274 units in 2019, down 69%.
See Also:
- Jaguar and Land Rover charging comes to the UK
- Jaguar Land Rover invests $2.9B to accelerate the electrification of its luxury brand
- Jaguar recalls over 6,000 I-PACE models in the US over battery fire risks
- Jaguar I-PACE sales down in Q3 since the launch
- JLR to use old I-PACE batteries as energy storage system in the UK
Given the rapidly evolving automotive market, Jaguar’s move to focus on electric vehicles is unsurprising. It is crucial for the company to ensure its survival as numerous established automakers and startups launch new electric vehicle models. The three planned new models will undoubtedly aid the brand in attracting customers and increasing its declining sales and delivery figures.
