The exterior camouflage may still be very much in place, but by Tuesday evening the interior of the Jaguar Type 01 EV grand tourer had been officially uncovered for everyone to see.
Shown publicly for the first time during Monterey Car Week, the Jaguar Type 01’s cabin is just as radical for the marque as the car’s exterior styling. Jaguar describes the concept as offering “four individual spaces”, and although these images do not show much of the rear seat area, the substantial spine running from the front to the back appears to create the separation the company says it was aiming for.
At the front, the first thing that stands out is a large driver display that stretches into the centre of the dashboard. A rather slim, vertically oriented central screen appears to contain major vehicle functions such as climate settings and radio controls, though it seems likely that smartphone mirroring would be managed through the larger display in the dashboard. Jaguar has avoided the current trend of adding a passenger-side screen, instead opting for a long, flat dashboard with an integrated air vent extending across the width of the cabin. The most unusual display of the lot sits at the base of the windscreen, as this screen serves as the digital rear-view mirror. Jaguar says it placed the new “mirror” there because it sits at the same height as the side-view mirrors.
The steering wheel is itself a design statement, much like the one seen in the upcoming Range Rover GT, and is shown here in a two-tone, two-spoke layout. A scattering of buttons is placed on the two panels, and thankfully they feature raised nubs and indentations that should make them easier to identify by touch. What is visible of the doors shows the same living-room-like theme carried across the rest of the cabin; there is even a Jaguar leaper with a brass-inspired finish mounted on the door panels. Brass is a recurring motif in several places, especially on the central spine mentioned earlier.
“Our holistic design philosophy translates the vehicle's exterior presence into a distinctive interior architecture,” said Thomas Holden, Jaguar chief interior designer. “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. 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.”
One aspect that stands out positively is Jaguar’s focus on a low seating position, something that is often compromised in EVs. There is also more going on here than is immediately visible, as Jaguar hints at technologies that remain hidden until needed, along with unexpected flashes of colour tucked away in concealed compartments.
We are keen to get closer to the Type 01 as soon as Jaguar permits, to discover all the clever details this car appears to be hiding. The full reveal is now close, scheduled for October 6. Jaguar plans to unveil it in New York, but before that, the interior will be displayed at Pebble Beach this coming Sunday.
