Remember the classic car in which Prince Harry drove away in with his new bride? It was an all-electric silver blue Jaguar E-Type built in 1968. Now, you will also be able to buy one for yourself. The British automaker has announced it will manufacture the Jaguar E-Type Zero, the all-electric variant of the E-type.
Buy new or convert existing
If you have doubts that it won’t look like the classic model, you may be wrong. The all-electric variant will appear the same as the iconic 1960s sports car, the only change will be the engine and transmission, which will be replaced by a battery pack and an electric motor, designed using I-Pace components – Jaguar’s first production electric vehicle.
“Building on the success of its breathtaking concept form, we are delighted to announce production plans for our Jaguar E‑type Zero – bringing our glorious past into an electric future,” the automaker says.
Also, if you have the six-cylinder E-type, Jaguar will be happy to convert it for you. The company will also store the original components in case you change your mind and want to reverse the process later. Additionally, for people who don’t already have an E-type, but want both – the original engine and the EV components – you can ask Jaguar to obtain an original vehicle, and convert it into electric.
Apart from the different engine, the all-electric Jaguar E-Type Zero will feature touchscreen navigation, LED headlights and other useful features found in present-day cars. Those looking for a full-conventional car will have the option to add original instruments. All restoration and conversion jobs will be done at Jaguar’s Classic Works facility in Coventry, U.K.
Further, the company notes that even after the electrification, the weight balance and handling characteristics will be the same as the original car. Other components, like the brakes and suspension, won’t need a change, so the car will drive much like the gasoline engine, albeit a bit quicker. The only desired thing that will be missing is the roar of a big engine.
Jaguar E-Type Zero – what to expect?
Jaguar, which is owned by India’s Tata Motors Ltd, unveiled a classic E-type converted to electric propulsion as a concept only vehicle last year. At the time, it was only seen as a concept showcased to highlight the company’s electric car plans. However, the automaker now believes that there is enough demand for the car to bring it to production.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the positive reaction to the Jaguar E-type Zero concept. Future-proofing the enjoyment of classic car ownership is a major stepping stone for Jaguar Classic,” said Tim Hannig, Jaguar Land Rover Classic Director, in a statement.
With the all-electric Jaguar E-Type, the company is targeting 170 miles. The concept vehicle featured a 40kWh battery, which would take about six to seven hours to be fully charged, and the same is expected to go into the production version as well. The automaker claims that the Jaguar E-Type Zero will have a quicker acceleration when compared to the Series 1 E-Type.
Jaguar, for now, has not shared many details of the car, but said it is taking “expressions of interest,” and “technical specifications and pricing details” will be shared soon. The company plans to start the deliveries for the Jaguar E-Type in 2020.
Jaguar is encouraging people who wish to buy a Jaguar E‑type Zero or plan to convert an existing E‑type to an electric powertrain, to contact their specialist team. Those who wish to have a look at the latest version of the Jaguar E-Type Zero before ordering one can head to Monterey Car Week in California.
AK-47 maker enters electric car market
In separate news, the maker of the AK-47 assault rifle, Concern Kalashnikov JSC, is the latest to enter the already crowded market of electric cars. The company recently showed its car – dubbed the CV-1. The baby-blue retro design car has a broad front grille, and a claimed driving range of 217 miles. As of now, there are no details on the production or sales plans for the car.
Kalashnikov is not the only surprising entry into the world of electric cars. Last year, Dyson, the vacuum cleaner maker, revealed plans to launch an electric car by 2020. The company has already invested $1.3 billion in converting the plan into reality. Previously, Sony also hinted at getting into “moving objects.”
