Jaguar Type 01 First Drive Review 2026: Will It Make or Break Jaguar?

What Is the Jaguar Type 01? 

The Jaguar Type 01 is the first new Jaguar since the F-Type sports car left the range in 2024, and the opening model of the brand's electric era. It follows Jaguar's 2024 rebranding campaign, which launched without showing a car. Priced at around £120,000, it targets luxury grand tourer buyers who want performance and comfort in equal measure. Vicki also sees a nod to the XJ and its family luxury. It is Jaguar's second electric car, after the I-PACE launched in 2018 and praised for its fun handling. The name links it to the C-Type, D-Type, E-Type and F-Type, while "01" stands for zero tailpipe emissions and the first car of a new era. 

What makes the Jaguar Type 01 special: 

• Three electric motors, two of them on the rear axle, giving the all-wheel-drive system a rear-biased, sports car character 
• 50:50 front-to-rear weight distribution, with air springs, active dampers and all-wheel steering 
• A moving rear spoiler that helps make the Type 01 Jaguar's most aerodynamic car ever 
• The slimmest headlights ever fitted to a Jaguar 
• Charging ports on both sides of the car, so it can plug in from either side of a charger 
• A 13-minute charge adds 200 miles of range

What Does the Jaguar Type 01 Look Like? 

The Type 01's design is likely to divide opinion, and Vicki describes it as a wow car, in a good way. A long bonnet and short front overhangs lead into a low roofline, which finishes in a long rear overhang. Hidden tail lights and a solid tailgate keep the rear surfaces clean, and in Vicki's view the whole exterior is designed to be noticed. 

Aerodynamics shaped the body, with a moving rear spoiler helping the Type 01 become Jaguar's most aerodynamic car ever. That efficiency matters on a car of this size: the Type 01 measures 5.2 metres long and weighs 2,700kg. Vicki points out that 5.2 metres is a common length for large cars today. 

How Does the Jaguar Type 01 Drive? 

Engine and Power Delivery 

The Type 01 is the most powerful Jaguar ever, with 1,030hp and 1,365Nm from three electric motors. It reaches 0-62mph in 3.2 seconds, a figure Vicki compares to Porsche 911 GT3 performance. Vicki finds the punch from around 50mph onwards the most impressive part, which she describes as proper GT performance. Two of the motors drive the rear wheels, giving the all-wheel-drive system a rear-biased, sports car feel. The traction control system continuously analyses the balance of power and grip to keep progress smooth, and drive modes including Efficient, Jaguar Dynamic, Ice and Snow and Curated adapt it to different weather and road conditions. 

Chassis and Handling 

Vicki finds the Type 01 handles more like a medium-sized car than a large GT. The steering starts light and then weights up as the car turns in, giving her the confidence to place it accurately, and she describes its agility as a pleasant surprise for a 2,700kg car. Its low, wide stance and 50:50 weight distribution work alongside air springs and active dampers to keep the body composed. All-wheel steering tightens the turning circle, making a 5.2-metre car easier to manoeuvre. 

What Is the Jaguar Type 01 Interior Like? 

The Type 01 reinterprets Jaguar's traditional wood and leather luxury with light colours, minimally stitched fabric and a bright, airy cabin. In Vicki's view, the interior makes as strong a statement as the exterior. 

Cabin Layout: 

Screens and Voice Control: Immersive Audio: 

Air Purification: 

What Wheels and Tyres Does the Jaguar Type 01 Have? 

The Jaguar Type 01 tested by Vicki rides on 23-inch aerodynamic alloy wheels, which she describes as definitely impressive. Jaguar also offers 21-inch wheels for drivers who want to make the range last longer. 

The wheels wear Pirelli P ZERO tyres carrying Pirelli's Elect and PNCS markings. According to Pirelli, the tyres were developed with Jaguar to cope with the Type 01's weight and torque, while balancing grip and handling with comfort and quietness. Those are significant demands on a car that weighs 2,700kg, produces 1,365Nm and has a 450-mile official range to protect. 

What the Elect marking means: 

• Pirelli says its Elect tyres are developed specifically for high-performance electric and plug-in vehicles, combining four characteristics: 
• Low rolling resistance to help maximise battery range 
• A specific compound that delivers immediate grip, putting an electric car's power down without excessive wear 
• A structure designed to support the weight of the batteries 
• An optimised tread pattern and structure that minimise road noise 

Pirelli Noise Cancelling System: 

The PNCS marking shows the tyres use Pirelli's Noise Cancelling System. According to Pirelli, a sound-absorbing sponge inside the tyre reduces the noise that reaches the cabin, helping keep the Type 01 as quiet as possible. 

The Pirelli P ZERO has been reviewed by thousands of drivers on DriverReviews, achieving an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. 

How Does the Jaguar Type 01 Compare to Rivals?

The Type 01's price places it among the leading electric grand tourers, and Vicki also sees a closely watched rival arriving from the same group: the forthcoming Range Rover GT. For another electric grand tourer with more than 1,000hp, see Vicki's Ferrari Luce first look.

Jaguar Type 01 vs Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé

Vicki sees the electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé as the sportier alternative. It is priced from £120,095 for the GT 53, rising to £159,870 for the GT 63, which uses three electric motors to produce 1,169hp. Mercedes-AMG claims up to 497 miles of range for the GT 53, with up to 311 miles added in ten minutes. The AMG suits buyers who want a sharper performance focus, while the Type 01 suits those who value comfort alongside agility.

Jaguar Type 01 vs Porsche Taycan

The Porsche Taycan starts from £88,200 in the UK, with the range extending to the high-performance Turbo models. It is available as a saloon, Sport Turismo and Cross Turismo, giving buyers a wide choice of body styles and power outputs. The Taycan suits buyers who want to tailor their electric performance car from a broad range, while the Type 01 suits those looking for a single flagship luxury GT.

Jaguar Type 01 vs Polestar 5

The Polestar 5 is priced from £89,500 for the Dual Motor and £104,900 for the Performance, so it costs significantly less than the Type 01. Polestar claims up to 416 miles of WLTP range for the Dual Motor version. The Polestar 5 suits buyers who want a four-door electric grand tourer at a lower price, while the Type 01 suits those who want Jaguar's most powerful car in a four-seat cabin built around luxury.

Is the Jaguar Type 01 Worth Buying?

The Jaguar Type 01 is the right choice for luxury grand tourer buyers who want 1,030hp performance, an agile and comfortable drive, and a design built to stand out. Buyers who prioritise maximum range should look at the Mercedes-AMG GT 53, which claims up to 497 miles. Vicki sees future-proofing Jaguar as a big ask for one car, and on this first drive she finds the signs good.

The case for the Jaguar Type 01:

• 1,030hp and 0-62mph in 3.2 seconds make it the most powerful Jaguar ever
• 50:50 weight distribution, air springs, active dampers and all-wheel steering for agility
• Steering and agility that disguise its 2,700kg weight, with smooth progress at low speeds
• A personal area for each of the four occupants, with immersive audio
• 200 miles of range added in a 13-minute charge

Points to consider:

• Motorway driving cuts the 450-mile official range to around 320 miles
• Charging that Vicki sees as competitive rather than game-changing
• No rear windscreen, so a camera display at the base of the windscreen replaces the rear-view mirror
• A price of around £120,000, above the Polestar 5's £89,500 starting point