The legendary British marque has officially entered its electric future with the unveiling of the Jaguar Type 01 – described as “the most technologically advanced and powerful Jaguar in the brand’s history.” After months of anticipation, the glamorous reveal took place in New York on October 6, 2026, and it was nothing short of spectacular. From Times Square to Brooklyn’s DUMBO district, digital displays lit up the city skyline as Type 01 carved through Manhattan’s streets in what Jaguar describes as a “dynamic arrival” at the exclusive STORIED venue in West Chelsea.
Design That Demands Attention
The Type 01 isn’t your typical EV, with a dramatically low roofline, elongated bonnet, and sleek proportions, this four-door grand tourer channels the fearless DNA of Jaguar’s iconic predecessors like the legendary E-Type and XJS. “Starting from a single line and a blank sheet of paper,” the design team created what’s arguably Jaguar’s most aerodynamic road car ever – a bold departure from conventional electric vehicle aesthetics.
Performance That Refuses to Compromise
Here’s where things get seriously impressive. The Type 01 packs more than 1,000 PS of power courtesy of a bespoke Jaguar Electric Architecture (JEA), all thanks to an 850-volt electrical system. That translates to genuine performance credentials: expect a 724-kilometre range on a single charge (WLTP) with the ability to add 321 kilometres in just 13 minutes using 350kW rapid charging. For context, this is a legitimately powerful machine that “always has power in reserve, for a drive that is unmistakably Jaguar.”
Hollywood Meets Horsepower
To underscore its commitment to cultural relevance, Jaguar announced acclaimed actor Florence Pugh as its inaugural brand ambassador for this new era. The announcement at the New York premiere cemented the Type 01’s position not just as a car, but as a cultural moment. The evening featured a captivating performance by British singer-songwriter Sienna Spiro, winner of Best New Artist at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, plus an exclusive culinary programme curated by celebrated chef Roze Traoré.
What This Means for New Zealand
New Zealand orders open at the start of 2027, with first client deliveries expected in the second half of the year. Pricing details are coming closer to launch, but given this is genuinely the most significant Jaguar launch since the brand’s inception in 1935, expect premium positioning. The Type 01 is “designed, engineered and built in the UK,” representing British innovation at its finest, the kind of automotive craftsmanship that’s increasingly rare in today’s mass-market EV landscape.
The Bigger Picture
Rawdon Glover, Managing Director of Jaguar, perfectly captured the significance: “From its dramatic design to its captivating drive, Type 01 distils the essence of Jaguar into a luxury grand tourer for a new era.” This isn’t a rebrand or a half-hearted pivot to electric, it’s Jaguar making a crystal-clear statement about its future without compromising on the brand values that made it legendary.
The Type 01 name itself tells the story: “Type” nods to iconic predecessors, “0” signifies zero tailpipe emissions, and “1” marks the first of a new generation.
Tarmac Takeaway
The automotive industry is full of electric vehicles, but few arrive with the cultural weight, design audacity, and genuine performance credentials of the Jaguar Type 01. As one of the world’s most influential design capitals celebrated this British innovation, one thing became abundantly clear: Jaguar isn’t just back, it’s arrived with purpose, power, and undeniable style, well sort of.
