Jaguar’s wild new EV interior revealed: Type 01 takes radical concept cabin into production
Jaguar has given us our first look inside its make-or-break Type 01 electric GT, and anyone expecting the British luxury brand to tone down the outrageous Type 00 concept for production could be in for a surprise.
The production Type 01 retains one of the concept’s most distinctive cabin features – a dramatic central spine running virtually the entire length of the car that separates the interior into four individual spaces.
Jaguar has also retained the low-slung driving position and minimalist dashboard philosophy previewed by the Type 00, although the production cabin inevitably appears more conventional than the show car revealed in late 2024.
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The Type 01 will make its full global debut in New York on October 6 as the first model in Jaguar’s controversial reinvention as an EV-only ultra-luxury brand.
The long central spine is the dominant feature of the new interior, stretching between the front seats and continuing through the rear passenger compartment.
Jaguar says the layout emphasises the longitudinal proportions of the huge four-door GT while effectively creating four individual seating zones.
It’s a concept that first appeared in the Type 00, where Jaguar used a combination of travertine stone and brass along the centre of the cabin.
For the production Type 01, Jaguar says the colour and material palette is again influenced by travertine, while a brass-inspired finish is applied to the central spine and repeated along the tops of the doors.
“Our holistic design philosophy translates the vehicle’s exterior presence into a distinctive interior architecture,” said Jaguar chief interior designer Thomas Holden.
“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.”
The dashboard itself is deliberately slim, with Jaguar again resisting the current industry trend towards covering the cabin with large permanent display screens.
Instead, infotainment and other digital functions have been incorporated into the architecture and are intended to appear when required.
A digital ClearSight rear-view display sits centrally at the base of the windscreen at approximately the same height as the exterior mirrors, while Jaguar says other technology and storage compartments are concealed until required.
The Type 01 is the production evolution of the spectacular Type 00 concept revealed at Miami Art Week in December 2024.
That two-door concept introduced Jaguar’s radical new design direction, but the production Type 01 is a much larger four-door electric GT aimed at the top end of the luxury market, where Jaguar intends to compete with brands such as Bentley and Rolls-Royce.
As previously reported by EV Central, the Type 01 is expected to measure around 5200mm long, stand only about 1400mm high and ride on a vast 3200mm wheelbase.
Its dedicated Jaguar Electric Architecture (JEA) also allows the battery pack to be configured to provide foot space for rear passengers while allowing the front seats to sit unusually low.
Jaguar has previously confirmed a tri-motor electric powertrain producing more than 1000PS (735kW), with all-wheel drive and torque vectoring.
Prototype testing has also revealed all-wheel steering, air suspension and active twin-valve dampers, while earlier information points to a battery of around 120kWh, a driving range approaching 700km and 800-volt electrical architecture capable of charging at up to around 350kW.
“Jaguar Type 01 is the first production car to follow our new creative philosophy. Unmistakable from every angle, the interior is no different,” said Jaguar managing director Rawdon Glover.
“With Type 01, we wanted every journey to be an occasion, from how it drives to how it looks and how it makes you feel. With a confidence-inspiring GT driving position, clean and sophisticated technology and dramatic styling, Type 01 has an interior like no other.”
Jaguar says the “0” in its name signifies zero tailpipe emissions and the “1” marks it as the first of the new generation.
Before its October 6 reveal, a camouflaged Type 01 prototype is appearing at Monterey Car Week in a new wrap, culminating in an appearance at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 16.
