First review has been released of the much anticipated prototype electric Jaguar Type 00 car

The prototype electric Jaguar Type 00 has made its driving debut, and it is anything but subtle.

Tested on frozen Swedish tracks, this radical four-door GT signals a major turning point for one of Britain’s most storied brands.

Critics have previously questioned Jaguar’s new direction, with some even arguing that Jaguar had lost touch with its roots.

However, after this first drive, that argument suddenly looks a lot weaker.

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The Jaguar Type 00 is surprisingly sporty

This is no retro throwback, but it is not a clean break either.

Engineers reportedly raided Jaguar’s heritage collection early in development, driving everything from classic XJs to the XJS to understand what made those cars feel special.

The result is a long-bonnet, cab-rearward silhouette with a sleek roofline and no rear window, dramatic, yes, but unmistakably Jaguar in stance.

The proportions are pretty wild.

At over 5.2 meters (17 feet) long but under 1.4 meters (4.6 feet) tall, the Type 00 has true GT presence.

Packaging wizardry helps, as its 120 kWh battery is not just a flat slab under the floor.

Jaguar created a ‘foot garage’ between front and rear battery sections, letting passengers sit lower than in most EVs.

Add the thinnest front seats the company has ever made, and you get a cocooning, sports saloon seating position that feels far from SUV-like.

Then there is the hardware.

Three electric motors headline the spec sheet, one up front and two at the rear, with total output landing around 1,000 horsepower and 959 lb-ft of torque.

The rear motors handle rapid torque vectoring, adjusting power up to 1,000 times per second, while air suspension and adaptive dampers aim to balance control with ride comfort.

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Sticking to Jaguar’s roots

On ice, the prototype electric Jaguar Type 00 doesn’t feel like a digital science project at all.

Even in its standard setting, the car runs rear-biased all-wheel drive, shifting to an even stronger rear emphasis in Dynamic mode.

That allows proper, controllable slides without the front axle dragging the car straight too aggressively.

Engineers say the goal was simple: it must feel like a Jaguar, with supple ride, measured body control, and steering with real weight and feedback.

Crucially, early impressions suggest they have nailed that brief.

Despite its mass, the prototype electric Jaguar Type 00 moves with poise, its low centre of gravity allowing softer anti-roll hardware without losing composure.

With final tuning still underway, it already hints that Jaguar’s electric future might be controversial in looks, but reassuringly familiar from behind the wheel.

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