Jaguar offering all-electric E-types

Jaguar Classic has confirmed it will offer all-electric E-types for sale.

The company says this follows an overwhelmingly positive reaction to the original concept.

The news follows the iconic EV sports car’s successful debut in concept form at the Jaguar Land Rover Tech Fest in September 2017.

Jaguar NZ general manager Steve Kenchington says Kiwi enthusiasts will have access to this new model and customers should register their interest at their local dealership.

A silver blue electric Jaguar E-Type Concept Zero was also driven by Prince Harry in transporting bride Meghan Markle to their wedding reception in May.

Jaguar Classic will offer tailor-made E-types restored and converted to electric power at the same Classic Works facility as its E-type Reborn restorations in Coventry, UK.

An EV conversion service for existing E-type owners will also be offered. To preserve the authenticity of the base vehicle, the EV conversion will be fully reversible.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the positive reaction to the Jaguar E-type Zero concept,” Jaguar Land Rover Classic director Tim Hannig says.

Technical specifications and pricing details will follow, but Jaguar Classic is now taking expressions of interest from potential E-type Zero clients.

Deliveries of the first electric E-type vehicles are expected to start from 2020.

Jaguar Classic is targeting a range in excess of 270km for all-electric E-types, helped by the car’s low kerb weight and sleek aerodynamics. The concept is powered by a 40kWh battery, which can be recharged in six to seven hours.

Modified instrumentation and fascia will showcase the latest touchscreen infotainment (available as an option).

An electric powertrain with a single-speed reduction gear has been specially designed for the E-type, utilising many Jaguar I-Pace components. Its lithium-ion battery pack has the same dimensions, and similar weight, to the standard E-type’s six-cylinder petrol XK engine and is in the same location.

The electric motor lies just behind the battery pack, in place of the E-type’s gearbox. A new propshaft sends power to a carry-over differential and final drive.

Using an electric powertrain with similar weight and dimensions to the outgoing petrol engine and transmission means the car’s structure, including suspension and brakes, has not changed,

It drives, handles, rides and brakes like an original E-type with front-rear weight distribution unchanged.

The latest iteration of the E-type Zero concept has its US debut at The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering on August 24 during California’s Monterey Car Week.