Forget V8s, V12s, and petrol altogether - Jaguar is focusing on electricity as a means of propulsion, and the British luxury brand will be aiming squarely at the Tesla Model S with its upcoming all-electric XJ luxury model.
The largest Jaguar model will launch in 2020, and will compete with Tesla's big sedan, along with the Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7 Series and Audi A8.
Perhaps the most surprising news, though, is that the new XJ will still be built in the UK, with JLR clearly showing its commitment to its home country in the face of Brexit uncertainty - it has already announced 4500 job cuts so far this year. The only other fully electric Jaguar - the i-Pace SUV - is built by Magna Steyr in Austria.
“The future of mobility is electric and, as a visionary British company, we are committed to making our next generation of zero-emission vehicles in the UK,” said Jaguar Land Rover CEO, Ralf Speth.
“We are co-locating our electric vehicle manufacture, Electronic Drive Units and battery assembly to create a powerhouse of electrification in the Midlands.”
The specifics of power, torque, range and acceleration are all still to be confirmed, but it is expected that the size of the XJ will enable it to offer at least 400km of electric range, and it'll likely be all-wheel drive with acceleration capabilities in the sub-six-second range.
Are you keen for the electric revolution? Tell us in the comments below.
Matt Campbell
Managing Editor - Head of Video
Matt Campbell has been at the forefront of automotive media for more than a decade, working not only on car reviews and news, but also helping manage automotive outputs across print, online, video and audio.
After completing his media degree at Macquarie University, Matt was an intern at a major news organisation as part of the motoring team, where he honed his skills in the online automotive reviews and news space. He did such a good job there they put him on full time, and since then he has worked across different automotive media outlets, before starting with CarsGuide in October 2017.
At CarsGuide Matt has helped shape the video output of the business, while also playing a key role in management behind the scenes, and helping in-market new car buyers make the right choice by continually evolving CarsGuide's comparison reviews. Driving more than 100 cars a year seemed like a dream to Matt when he first started out, but now it's all just part of the job - a job he loves and plans to stay in for a long time to come.
Matt is also an expert in used car values, as he's always on the hunt for a bargain - be it a project beater or a prime example of the breed. He currently owns a 2001 Audi TT quattro and a 2007 Suzuki Jimny JLX.
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