- Jaguar’s upcoming electric GT will feature a simulated V8 soundtrack through speakers.
- Sound generator aims to recapture emotional appeal of the brand’s past V8 models.
- It will be underpinned by a brand new electric platform with roughly 430 miles of range.
A few years ago, Jaguar made the controversial decision to commit fully to an all-electric future, phasing out every combustion model in its lineup as part of an effort to reposition itself against ultra-luxury rivals like Bentley. Now, a newly surfaced spy video of the company’s upcoming electric four-door GT shows that while the brand is moving forward, it still wants to keep a thread of its internal-combustion past alive.
This isn’t the first time the production version of Jaguar’s Type 00 Concept has been caught out in testing, but it is the first time we’ve seen it on video making sounds. At around the 12-second mark, the camouflaged prototype passes the camera, climbing a small incline as it does, and the noise is unmistakable. Instead of the muted whirr of an ordinary EV, it delivers the kind of deep grumble more often associated with a Jaguar V8.
Read: This Is The Electric GT That Will Either Save Or Kill Jaguar
Before turning exclusively to electric power, Jaguar was well known for its V8s, from the supercharged 5.0-liter versions of the F-Type to the high-performance F-Pace. They all sound absolutely fabulous, and it seems the brand has installed some kind of artificial sound generator on its electric GT to give it some of the emotion that is sadly missing from so many electric cars on the market.
Soundtrack for the Future
In all likelihood, Jaguar could be developing several different ICE soundtracks for the Type 00 and, of course, owners will have the option to drive their vehicles in complete silence. Hyundai kicked off the trend of EVs equipped with ICE soundtracks with the Ioniq 5 N, and several others have followed suit, including the Abarth 500e and Dodge Charger Daytona. Even Ferrari’s first EV is believed to receive a similar system.
Beyond its soundtrack, the new Jag will look quite similar to the sleek two-door concept that previewed it late last year. This means it’ll have the same imposing front fascia, long hood, wide stance, and sportback shape. There’s no word on whether it’ll also lack a fixed rear window like the concept, but the Polestar 4 has at least proven that a window at the back isn’t necessary in an era of compact, rear-facing cameras.
Built on Jaguar’s new electrical platform, the GT should deliver around 430 miles, or 692 kilometers, of driving range. A full reveal is expected before the end of the year, giving us a clearer picture of how the brand intends to balance heritage with its electric ambitions.
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