Jaguar Type 01 cabin revealed

JAGUAR has provided the first look inside its forthcoming Type 01 electric grand tourer, revealing a minimalist four-seat cabin that remains remarkably faithful to the controversial Type 00 concept that previewed the British marque’s new design direction in 2024.

The interior reveal follows the Type 01’s recent appearance in camouflaged prototype form at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, with Jaguar now preparing to show another prototype during Monterey Car Week ahead of the production model’s global unveiling in New York on October 6.

Like the Type 00, the Type 01 rejects a conventional dashboard and centre-console arrangement in favour of a prominent longitudinal ‘spine’ running the length of the cabin, effectively dividing the interior into four individual occupant spaces.

Jaguar chief interior designer Thomas Holden said the unusual architecture was intended to reinforce the proportions and design themes of the exterior.

“In contrast to the horizontal interior design norm, we emphasise its dramatic longitudinal nature through the central spine, an architectural statement that creates four individual spaces,” he said.

“With authentic materials, technology on demand and reductive flowing surfaces, Type 01 presents unmistakable drama and theatre that will define the modern luxury automotive interior of the future.”

Rather than following the industry trend towards increasingly large banks of screens, Jaguar has taken a comparatively restrained approach to visible technology.

A digital instrument display sits ahead of the driver, while a much smaller screen positioned centrally provides access to functions including climate control and audio volume.

Jaguar describes its approach as “technology on demand”, with digital interfaces and other functions concealed until required.

Although a conventional central infotainment display is absent from the images released this week, the Type 00 concept featured screens that could emerge from the dashboard, suggesting similar functionality may be incorporated into the production model.

Jaguar has confirmed the Type 01 will feature concealed compartments and “hidden-until-needed technologies” but has not detailed exactly how its primary infotainment interface will operate.

Another unconventional feature is the positioning of the digital ClearSight rear-view display at the base of the windscreen rather than in the traditional mirror location.

Jaguar says placing the camera-fed display at approximately the same height as the exterior mirrors is intended to reduce the amount of eye movement required from the driver.

The system also appears necessary because the Type 01 does without a conventional rear windscreen, while an expansive fixed-glass roof extends over much of the four-seat cabin.

Materials represent another significant departure from Jaguars of the past.

Instead of the leather, timber, and chrome traditionally associated with the British luxury marque, the Type 01 employs surfaces influenced by travertine stone and artisan textiles, together with brass-inspired finishes running along the central spine and upper door sections.

Jaguar’s Leaper emblem is incorporated into the door trim, while linear detailing across the dashboard mirrors elements extending along the bonnet, creating what the company describes as a visual connection between the exterior and interior.

The front occupants sit low in the vehicle in what Jaguar calls a “cossetting and confidence-inspiring” GT driving position.

Jaguar managing director Rawdon Glover said the Type 01 was the first production vehicle developed entirely around the marque’s new creative philosophy.

“With Type 01, we wanted every journey to be an occasion, from how it drives to how it looks and how it makes you feel,” he said.

“With a confidence-inspiring GT driving position, clean and sophisticated technology and dramatic styling, Type 01 has an interior like no other.”

The Type 01 is equally unconventional externally, carrying much of the Type 00 concept’s exaggerated proportions into production.

Despite being a battery-electric vehicle, it features an exceptionally long bonnet more reminiscent of a front-engined V12 grand tourer, combined with short overhangs, a low roofline, and sheer body sides.

Jaguar has described the Type 01 as a four-door luxury GT and it will become the first production model based on the new Jaguar Electric Architecture (JEA), a dedicated platform that does not accommodate internal-combustion powertrains.

According to information contained in the source material, the Type 01 is expected to use a tri-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain producing more than 735kW and 1300Nm, backed by an 800-volt electrical architecture and approximately 120kWh battery.

Driving range is expected to exceed 690km, while four-wheel steering and air suspension are also anticipated. Jaguar has not detailed final production specifications in the interior announcement.

The model is crucial to Jaguar’s contentious reinvention as a lower-volume, higher-priced luxury EV manufacturer.

Production of its previous model range was progressively wound down during 2024-25 and Jaguar is currently without a new vehicle in global production as it prepares for the arrival of its next generation.

The strategy will reposition Jaguar above its previous BMW and Mercedes-Benz rivals, with the Type 01 instead intended to compete at the upper end of the luxury market.

It is expected to be followed by another two models using the JEA platform as Jaguar rebuilds its range exclusively around electric vehicles.

Indicative pricing of around £100,000 ($A205,000) has previously been suggested for the Type 01, positioning it well below ultra-luxury electric GTs such as the Rolls-Royce Spectre while representing a substantial step up from Jaguar’s previous models.

A Type 01 prototype wearing a new camouflage treatment will appear during Monterey Car Week before being displayed at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 16.

Jaguar will remove the camouflage and reveal the production Type 01 in full in New York on October 6.