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JLR confirms next Jaguar XJ will be all-electric

Jaguar-Land Rover confirmed today what has long been rumored: the next-generation Jaguar XJ will be all-electric. On stage to introduce the new Land Rover Defender, company CEO Ralf Speth made the announcement as a teaser image of the new electric XJ's full-width taillight bar appeared on screens behind him.  As quoted by AutoExpress, Speth said, "Based on our rich knowledge and experience gained from the I-Pace, Formula-E and I-Pace eTROPHY, our engineering team is in full swing to deliver the world's first, full-electric luxury sports saloon. The flagship of Jaguar: the all-new XJ." He continued, "The new, all-electric XJ - extraordinarily remastered for the 21st century - will offer spiritual freedom for our customers ... Gliding in elegance, new tranquility and new functionality, and in full consciousness taking care of the environment." Well, let's unpack that a bit, shall we? First, "the world's first, full-electric luxury sports saloon?" Even if you split hairs and deem the Tesla Model S a hatchback, there's a little thing called the Tesla Model 3. That's definitely a saloon, or as we in North America call it, a sedan. Unless he meant the North American definition of a saloon, in which case the Tesla is most definitely not that.  Also, the new XJ will help customers achieve spiritual freedom? Whatever. Jaguar's longest-running nameplate going all-electric isn't surprising, but it can only be good news for the British luxury brand, which could use a win. The current XJ made waves with its controversial styling, but that was nearly a decade ago. Thereafter, it never gained enough attention in America from wealthy buyers who'd otherwise buy a BMW 7 Series, Mercedes S-Class or even Porsche Panamera. Basically, what the Tesla Model S was able to achieve with distinctive styling, and of course, an all-electric powertrain. Plus, unlike the recently introduced Porsche Taycan, an all-electric Jaguar XJ should offer space more on par with Tesla's big sedan/saloon/hatchback.  AutoExpress also indicates in its story that the new XJ will still be built in England, as will its batteries. There will apparently be a new battery-producing facility opening in 2020 with the goal of producing enough batteries for as many as 150,000 Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles per year. 

Jaguar unveils Vision Gran Turismo electric race car for 'Gran Turismo Sport'

We've driven some hot Jaguars, one of our favorites being the deliciously fast, all-electric I-Pace. Unfortunately, that car costs around $70,000 to start. Too rich for your blood? Jaguar has designed an all-electric race car specifically for PlayStation 4's "Gran Tursimo Sport." Called the Jaguar Vision Gran Turismo Coupe, you'll be able to take this performance EV for some virtual hot laps soon. It'll be available for download late next month, but first, it's getting broken in by competitors in Sony’s Gran Turismo World Tour event at the Tokyo Motor Show this week. The latest in a series of virtual concept cars, from a variety of automakers, this Jaguar designed its Vision GT from the ground up as an all-wheel-drive EV, inspired by the historic C-Type and D-Type, but with modern technology from its I-Type 4 Formula E and I-Pace eTrophy racers. Its three electric motors are good for a total of 750 kW (1,005 horsepower) and 885 pound-feet of torque. That'll launch the car to 62 miles per hour in less than two seconds. Jaguar Vision Gran Turismo Coupe View 15 Photos Though the Vision Gran Turismo is a virtual vehicle, Jaguar put a lot of thought into the design and materials. It's made from carbon-fiber composites and aluminum alloys, and if it were real, it'd weigh 3,086 pounds. Thought was given to aerodynamics, down to the car's deployable wing to balance drag and downforce. "This was the dream project for a car designer, creating a futuristic sports car for Gran Turismo means our designs and ideas could be truly limitless," said Oliver Cattell-Ford, exterior designer, Jaguar Advanced Design. "It has to excite future generations and most importantly, look and feel unmistakably Jaguar.” If you like to use the cockpit perspective when gaming, you won't be disappointed, as Jaguar paid attention to interior details as well. Chris Shaw, interior designer, Jaguar Advanced Design, said of it, "The architecture is visually lightweight, simple, and dramatic; featuring advanced and experimental materials and finishes.Sitting in the stunningly considered cockpit and looking out onto the gracefully long bonnet of the Jaguar Vision GT Coupe — a view that is unmistakably Jaguar — the player will be fully immersed in the action.” It even features hologram technology for displaying information, with augmented reality digital side glass that can alert the driver to dangers outside the vehicle.

Jaguar working on 600-hp F-Type SVR

Thinking about buying a new Jaguar F-Type? You've got a number of supercharged engine options to choose from... and soon you'll have one more. According to Motor Trend, Jaguar and its Special Vehicle Operations unit are working on a new SVR version of the F-Type, and it's tipped to pack 600 or more horsepower. That's more than anything Jaguar (or for that matter Land Rover) has offered for public consumption to date, but follows a delineated progression of output. As it is, the 5.0-liter supercharged V8 offered at launch in the F-Type convertible was already churning out 500 metric horsepower. Then came the F-Type R coupe that bumped output up to 550, followed by the limited-edition Project 7 roadster with 575. Topping 600 would only follow naturally, then, but would give the F-Type a broad range of outputs, starting at 335 hp and nearly doubling once it hits the top. It would also handsomely eclipse the Mercedes-AMG GT S (503 hp) and Porsche 911 Turbo S (552 hp), rival the Aston Martin Vantage GT12 (592 hp), and give even the new Audi R8 V10 Plus (610 hp) a run for its money. The bigger question is what form the SVR model will take, and with what other equipment. Coupe or convertible, rear-drive or all-wheel drive, automatic or manual... it's too early to say at this point. But we can probably expect much of the equipment from Project 7 – active diff, carbon-ceramic brakes... the works – to reappear in the SVR as well.