Jaguar reinvented or, in the brand’s parlance, reimagined itself. Out went the XJ and the affordable sports cars. Jaguar is now going all-electric and way upmarket. The brand previewed its new “exuberant modernism” at Miami’s Art Basel in 2024 with the Type 00 concept. The new vehicle presents a bold vision, with avant-garde looks, nearly four figures of horsepower, more than 400 miles of projected range, and a potential six-figure price tag. It’s one that may alienate 85 percent of Jaguar’s customer base. The Jaguar Type 00 looked surreal on stage. And after getting a second, real-life reveal at Paris Fashion Week, it still looks just as surreal.
The Jaguar Type 00 Appeared at Paris Fashion Week
The Jaguar Type 00 met its target affluent and stylish audience at Miami Art Basel. The brand decided to reacquaint the Type 00 with a similar jet-set crowd at Paris Fashion Week. Irish actor Barry Keoghan showed up in a Type 00 concept to an event — this one in French Ultramarine blue. It proved to be the week’s second most headline-grabbing, blue-themed, Barry Keoghan-related happening; Keoghan showed up to a different event wearing a blue heart pin, suggesting he may be back together with Sabrina Carpenter.
Will the Jaguar Type 00 Look Like the Production Vehicle?
The Jaguar Type 00 displayed here resembles the Miami debut version. The brand swapped a brilliant blue — perhaps a nod to the Parisian flag — for the Miami Pink we might have called “Pepto Bismol satin.” Jaguar explicitly noted on its Instagram page that the Type 00 is not a production vehicle. However, a second showing and the concept being functional enough to drive suggest that the Type 00 may be close to the real deal production model.
As with other interesting concept cars, the production Type 00 will compromise on some practical features, like external rearview mirrors and door handles. Even if it adheres broadly to the original design, the production car may look less jarring when real-life buyers option it in white, black, or grey.
TopSpeed’s Take
Jaguar’s modern reinvention is risky. Almost every British manufacturer has found success leaning into heritage rather than away from it. But Jaguar is in a position where it needs to take risks. Jaguar Land Rover rebranded as “JLR” and relegated Jaguar to one of its four “sub-brands.” The upshot of that move was to make it much easier to excise Jaguar from the equation entirely if needed. The corporation turning record profits while winding down Jaguar doesn’t bode well for the brand’s future.
Jaguar needs attention for its relaunch. The Type 00 concept provides that attention. Whether a viable, profitable production vehicle emerges from it remains to be seen. But at least Jaguar didn’t launch a dull, potato-shaped crossover like the Mercedes EQE SUV.
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