From one British icon to another - could this stunning new Jaguar become the new ride for Bond. James Bond?
It’s certainly been a long time coming.
First came Sean Connery with his impossibly sophisticated Scottish accent and woman-loving antics.
Next was toffee Brit David Niven. who never quite met the mark and missed out after one movie.
That reopened the door to Connery in the role that would make him a Hollywood hero - to be followed by Roger Moore (much more Moore, as it turned out).
A one-off cameo by Aussie George Lazenby led to a cavalcade of Poms such as Tim Dalton and Daniel Craig.
But one thing has remained almost sacrosanct in the franchise that has given us James Bond - beyond the beautiful women and dry martinis (shaken, not stirred).
It is, of course, the cars.
British thoroughbreds, most of them, from the very English Aston Martin that became a staple for Mr Bond, punctuated by the odd BMW (a German car, for goodness sake) amid all manner of other modes of transport.
And now here it is - the Jaguar that Bond built.
Already the target of cruel commentary and incredulous reviews since its unveiling a few days ago, this car seems certain to become the most controversial Jaguar of all time.
It’s fair to say it has not been greeted by universal acclaim.
Some have kindly suggested someone has left the Jaguar prototype factory unlocked.
And while Jaguar’s marketing and design teams have made much of the world launch being held in Miami - America’s unofficial design and artistic headquarters - the company management has confirmed the Type 00 (pronounced Type Zero Zero) will be designed and built in England.
Jaguar says the first cars are expected to roll off the production line late in 2025.
Jaguar has confirmed the first model to reach showrooms - which will resemble art galleries more than showrooms - will be a four-door coupe as depicted in the launch images.
Jaguar says the car will follow the “copy nothing” motto that defined the marque since the1930s - when the legendary D-Type and iconic E-Type roamed the Earth.
Jaguar has, not surprisingly, a little more positive to say about this stunning new machine that will carry the grand old British brand into a fully electric future.
In fact electricity is basically the only language contemplated in all communications for this unmissable new coupe.
The company says the new model will be “Jaguar at its best - a fearless statement, an object of desire and a concept with bold forms”.
While technical information remains scarce, it’s known that the Type 00 will be fully electric (likely using technology on models like the Range Rover which has recently unveiled its first electric models).
It will have a target electric range of 770km and can recharge its mammoth batteries to almost half in about 15 minutes.
It has defied normal electric design traits - the Type 00 will have a long, sweeping front bonnet even though there is no internal combustion to accommodate.
It will also run on truck-sized 23-inch wheels to further focus on the car’s dramatic silhouette, along with its flush surfaces, glassless rear tailgate and panoramic roof.
Jaguar devotees will delight that the famous “Leaper” badge will be retained in the new image - where it will be laser-etched as a feature of the exterior.
The cockpit will be minimalist to the highest degree - featuring hand-finished brass lines which will run the length of the interior to accommodate a 3.2m brass line that separates two “floating” instrument panels.
More of Jaguar’s new baby are likely to be released to the public early in 2025.
