Is this the sexiest electric car so far? Jaguar Land Rover unveils E-type Zero and pledges to go all electric by 2020
Forget the Nissan Leaf or even the Tesla Model 3. Jaguar Land Rover is launching an electric version of its classic 1960s E-type and we want one. Now.
The electric Jaguar E-type called the E-type Zero Roadster is based on a 1968 Series 1.5 Roadster and features a cutting-edge electric powertrain for 0-60mph in just 5.5sec.
It was engineered by Jaguar Classic at the company’s new Classic Works in Warwickshire, UK.
The E-type Zero roadster is said to have a real-world range of 270km (just under 170 miles) thanks to a 40kWh battery that can be fully recharged in six to seven hours. See YouTube video below:
Tim Hannig, chief of Jaguar Land Rover Classic, told The Verge that the company’s “aim with the E-type Zero is to future-proof classic car ownership. We’re looking forward to the reaction of our clients as we investigate bringing this concept to market.”
The announcement of the new E-type Zero Roadster comes as Jaguar Land Rover announces the electrification of all its vehicles from 2020.
Speaking at its inaugural Tech Fest, a series of debates and a free public exhibition about the future of mobility taking place in London, Dr Ralf Speth, Jaguar Land Rover Chief Executive Officer, said:
“Every new Jaguar Land Rover model line will be electrified from 2020, giving our customers even more choice.
“We will introduce a portfolio of electrified products across our model range, embracing fully electric, plug-in hybrid and mild hybrid vehicles.”
Images below courtesy of Neal Anderson
The company is currently working on a number of initiatives to meet its electric goals, including this AI steering wheel, but none quite so eye catching as this classic e-Type.
In July, Volvo announced that from 2019 onwards all of its vehicles will be partially or completely battery-powered too, in what the company called a “historic end” to building models that only have an internal combustion engine.
Tech Fest 2017 is a free-to-enter festival taking place at the internationally recognised Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London. It is open to the public from Friday 8 September to Sunday 10 September.
