Jaguar is on the cusp of deciding whether the next F-Type will be a full-blooded petrol-engined car or a dramatic, futuristic first take on a battery-electric vehicle designed to act as a ‘halo’ for future mobility.
Speaking to Autocar, Jaguar design director Ian Callum said: “We’re asking ourselves if it should be a final hurrah for the old-school sports car that we know and love, or to switch now to make our first all-electric sports car,” said Callum. “It’s a very difficult decision. What I will say is that the electric decision is looking more interesting with time.”
Although the F-Type is expected to be on sale for at least three more years, Callum confirmed that the development cycle for its successor would have to begin soon, suggesting a new car is around three years away from making production.
Callum admitted that the performance of the I-Pace had forced him to rethink his views on electric cars, although he stressed that the final decision on which technology to use would not be down to him.
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Boris9119
No Brainer
Seriously this is a no-brainer, even for the incompetents at Jaguar. Much as I lament the demise of the internal combustion engine, I accept that electric is for now the future and consequently any new 'halo' car that is yet to be engineered and signed off can only be electric if it is to have the degree of market penetration neccesary when it debuts.
The Apprentice
...911 rival...haha. Happy
...911 rival...haha. Happy April 1st spotted the joke.
xxxx
Haha
Said like a true 'financial dealer' type and diehard VAG 911 owner.
typos1 - Just can’t respect opinion
si73
xxxx wrote:
However I never really thought of them as competitors, I always thought the jag was more sports GT and that the 911 cost more.
It shouldnt be electric only it should be available as both ic and electric powered, I'm not sure the market is ready for it to be electric only. Surely choice is where the profit will lay.
JMax18
Do you;
Do you;
a) Move with the times, make a brilliant award-winning car, make lots of money, ruin your heritage, ruin every Jag fan's life, or,
b) Stick with the old, keep the purists happy, keep the heritage going, not make any more money, and stick with the F-pace you have.
Tough decision, will be sad to see the ICU sports car disappear.
catnip
We've had the article about
We've had the article about Jaguar considering whether the XJ should be an electric only flagship model, now a similar one for the F-Type. Will we soon be getting another piece detailing how Jag are considering whether the XF should be purely electric, and then another considering the electric only XE?
eseaton
Everyone is assuming there is
Everyone is assuming there is this enormous demand for fast electric sports cars.
It strikes me that despite all the talk, there is no evidence for this.
artill
The answer is surely to make
The answer is surely to make both for a good long while until its clear what people want. I dont see any EV being a good sports car, they are just too heavy. Sure they can be fast, but thats rather a one trick pony. Also the Americans are key here. If they are moving towards EVs at all its very slowly. In 10 years it could be very hard to sell a petrol powered F Type in the EU, but very hard to sell an EV version in the USA. JLR sell such a large percentage of their cars over there that what the US market wants really matters.
Hughbl
The article suggests
They plan to make both - at least for a short period - with the current model continuing for 3 years. By 2022 it's likely that EVs will be dominating most new launches.
And don't forget, California started the EV shift (and Tesla is having no problems selling its cars in the US) and China is leading the EV revolution.
Cersai Lannister
Platform controller
Callum may be right if they can deliver something appealing. Unfortunately, the F-Type seems to have captured few hearts and wallets and the question now is whether people care enough whether Jaguar makes a sports car. It may be part of the company's DNA but I've a nagging feeling that the TVR-like F-Type hasn't done it commercially and the challenge of taking on the 911 seems beyond Jaguar in terms of weight/dynamics and everyday usability. Porsche are no fools and make the everyday supercar that more people want than any other and have enough profit to endlessly hone it - JLR sadly has none.
The question then is whether JLR has a platform to deliver a next-gen sports car (that's not trapped in E- or F-Type baggage) and what form it might take. Then, can they deliver it? And - will people care if they did?
F-Type told us that rushing off making a cramped and compromised car that looks good but weighs more than the sun wasn't and isn't what the market wants. It will require some listening to the market and not to history if Jaguar are to survive.
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