RE: Jaguar E-Type Zero: Driven

RE: Jaguar E-Type Zero: Driven

Wednesday 5th September 2018

Jaguar E-Type Zero | PH Review

Here it is: a classic E-Type for those with a marked aversion to engine noise...



There's an obvious question raised by the prospect of an expensively electrified Jaguar E-Type: why? Why remove the most soulful element of one of the most beautiful sportscars of all time? Why spend a huge amount to do so? Why not have buy a Nissan Leaf instead?

Of course, the E-Type Zero hasn't been designed for rational reasons. It's both proof of Jaguar's commitment to an ion-fuelled future, but also a car that's likely to appeal to some of the virtue signallers that will help to spread that message further.

But it's also an impressively well thought out piece of engineering.


Jaguar produced an E-Type Zero concept last year, with what seemed to be the same car subsequently making an appearance at the marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (the company refuses to confirm the connection). Now Jaguar's in-house Classic division has confirmed that, alongside the "Reborn" restored E-Types it already sells, it will be offering buyers the chance to buy their own electric E.

Which is why I got to drive the demonstrator that had been brought to the Monterey Car Week in California last week. Although a different colour from the original concept it appeared in every other way to be functionally identical. I resisted the temptation to peel off paintwork to see if I could find any evidence that it used to be blue.

Although the test route was short and chaperoned, and speeds were low, the Zero did manage to prove that an E-Type can cope surprisingly well with electrification.


In large part this is due to the clever modular power pack that has been created for it. Developed with the help of Rimac, the EV system's battery pack and electric motor shares the same dimensions as the original 3.8-litre XK engine and its four-speed transmission. Jaguar Classic's director, Tim Hannig, says that the production version will use a 40kWh battery closely related to the one fitted to the Range Rover P400e, albeit with twice as many cells and a higher energy density. The prototype's unit has been made from more exotic components, but has similar mass and capacity. This sits under the bonnet in the space formerly occupied by the six-cylinder engine, with the compact 255hp electric motor mounted where the transmission previously was. In total it weighs just under 300kg, slightly less than the original IC unit and gearbox did.

The e-motor turns a single-speed reduction gear and then the rear wheels through the original differential; the clever bit is that - apart from the need to make space for control electronics beneath the boot floor - the Zero requires no bodywork modification. The prototype has a charging port where the original fuel filler went, but the Hannig says they are considering switching to a front-mounted port for the finished version, as most EV infrastructure is designed for nose-in parking.

But considering the full heart transplant, surgery has been remarkably light. Classic say it will be possible for buyers to have the EV power pack fitted but also to keep the original engine and gearbox in case they ever want to swap back.


The Zero has been designed for light use rather than any kind of punishing duty cycle. The battery won't support fast charging as that would have required active battery cooling which would have added hugely to the complexity and brought an unacceptable weight penalty. So using the fastest possible 7kW charging it will take around five hours to fully replenish the battery pack. Jaguar previously said that the range would be about 125 miles, but we're told that the concept has covered 170 miles in regular use during testing - and Hannig reckons it could manage 200 miles in optimum conditions.

I get to drive around six miles along the city streets of Monterey, with no opportunity to go above 40mph much less verify the claimed sub-7 second 0-60mph time, corresponding to that of the original six-cylinder E-Type in period. While that would have been pointless, harder use would have given the chance to see how the battery pack would cope with tougher thermal challenges.

From the outside the Zero looks like a nicely restored E-Type, but the Zero's interior gets very futuristic with a carbon fibre dashboard and digital instruments as well as a central touchscreen. Hannig says that production versions will be offered with the option of a more traditional cabin. Wipers and headlights are controlled by modern switches, although the tiny triple arms sweep the screen much faster than I remember any other E-Type managing; it looks like the electrical upgrade has pepped up everything. I was pleased to find the Zero still uses the original E-Type's thin column-mounted stalk for its indicators.


The first real surprise is that the lack of any six-cylinder soundtrack isn't the immediate deal-breaker you might expect. The electric motor has a characteristic electric whine when pressed harder, but the almost silent running actually suits the car's relaxed character at urban speeds, and even without the acoustic mask of internal combustion it didn't squeak or creak in a way I'd expect an elderly Jaguar roadster to. Yet nor did it stand out - during my drive in the car nobody clocked that it was anything other than an E-Type, the electrification effectively undercover.

With unchanged suspension, steering and brakes the Zero handles pretty much exactly the same way as a standard E-Type. It's soft and the dampers can take a couple of goes to defuse bigger urban bumps, but it's never harsh and the unassisted steering is alive with feedback even at trundling speeds. (The plan is to also offer an electrical assistance upgrade for anyone who wants to cut down on the effort required for low-speed manoeuvring.)

The instant torque makes the Zero feel lively, with a forceful off-the-line shove even using just the top couple of inches of the throttle pedal. With no need to change gears, the natural rate of 'keen start' acceleration is definitely higher than an XK-engined E-Type would be. The lack of any traction control could be an issue on slippery surfaces; the infotainment system offers the chance to inhibit the motor's output. For similar reasons, there's currently no regenerative braking (and likely a very modest amount in the production car) as this could lead to problems on icy surfaces with brake torque on the rear axle and no ABS.


Other stuff? Well the cabin is as tight-fitting as I remember the regular E-Type feeling; was everybody really six inches shorter in the early 1960s, or just less prone to complaining? The digital instruments also feel out of place, especially as the rev counter is made pretty much redundant by the lack of gears. The concept also lacks any heating or ventilation system, which the production versions will get, with the use of electrically powered heating elements and - Hannig says - even the heretical option of aircon.

The modularity of the new powertrain is the really clever bit, as it can fit into anything that was powered by an XK engine in period. Anticipate ion-fuelled versions of Jaguar's greatest hits as we go forwards. Buyers will be able to either have the system fitted to their own car - for around £60,000, if no other work is required - or can use Jaguar Classic to source a donor vehicle that can then be built to personal specification for around £300,000. Both Coupes and Roadsters can be converted.

That's right, three hundred grand for an E-Type with what many would reckon is its soul removed. Yet while the Venn diagram overlap between those with sufficient money and an active desire to own a combustion-free E-Type will likely be a narrow one, Jaguar Classic says that early interest has been high - and that much of it has come from existing E-Type owners wanting to have something similar-but-different to their existing pride and joy. In a world where some people buy identical hypercars in different colours, that doesn't seem entirely irrational.


SPECIFICATION - JAGUAR E-TYPE ZERO
Engine:
Electric motor, single speed reduction gear, rear wheel drive.
Power (kW): 190
Torque (lb ft): 331
0-62mph: sub 7sec (claimed)
Top speed: TBC
Weight: TBC
CO2: 0g/km
Price: c. £300,000 (built)










Author
Discussion

Distraxi

Original Poster:

45 posts

145 months

Tuesday 4th September 2018
quotequote all
I know the economics wouldn't pan out, but I keep coming back to "this'd work way better in an XJ6 than an E Type".

Edited by Distraxi on Tuesday 4th September 06:49


Edited by Distraxi on Tuesday 4th September 06:55

Nerdherder

1,773 posts

103 months

Tuesday 4th September 2018
quotequote all
Do something like this to the C-X75 and bring it to market please. Not much sense in this route e.g. showing your commitment to an electric future by muddying up your legacy. I don't dislike the electric e per sé, I just think it's a weird step for Jag to take.

Hurricane52

279 posts

129 months

Tuesday 4th September 2018
quotequote all
If it could get from Coventry to Geneva in an overnight dash, without having to stop for five hours at a time, there’d be a much longer queue.


covmutley

3,116 posts

196 months

Tuesday 4th September 2018
quotequote all
As an owner of an EV, no thank you.

Roy m

200 posts

219 months

Tuesday 4th September 2018
quotequote all
Hurricane52 said:
If it could get from Coventry to Geneva in an overnight dash, without having to stop for five hours at a time, there’d be a much longer queue.
And that surely is the whole electric car issue - a lack of range! If you can't drive 450 - 500 miles in a day (with ic power addition if necessary) then they are commuter cars only. Range anxiety is very real - we've come a long way from worrying whether a car would break down on a journey only to be taken back to that with an electric car! Give me an electric car with a small economical 3 cylinder IC engine which cuts in when motorway cruising and when extra power needed , a genuine 300 mile range on electric only and I'm in!
And leave the classics alone please - good for publicity but nothing else

bearman68

4,787 posts

138 months

Tuesday 4th September 2018
quotequote all
Can't believe the neg comments so far - they've taken an old car and put an electric motor in it, and pretty successfully from the article. It's hardly 'muddying your heritage' is it? And let's be fair, who wants to drive an original one, except for novelty value?

E65Ross

35,672 posts

218 months

Tuesday 4th September 2018
quotequote all
Roy m said:
Hurricane52 said:
If it could get from Coventry to Geneva in an overnight dash, without having to stop for five hours at a time, there’d be a much longer queue.
And that surely is the whole electric car issue - a lack of range! If you can't drive 450 - 500 miles in a day (with ic power addition if necessary) then they are commuter cars only. Range anxiety is very real - we've come a long way from worrying whether a car would break down on a journey only to be taken back to that with an electric car! Give me an electric car with a small economical 3 cylinder IC engine which cuts in when motorway cruising and when extra power needed , a genuine 300 mile range on electric only and I'm in!
And leave the classics alone please - good for publicity but nothing else
I don't agree with the range thing too much. Many electric cars have a 250+ mile range these days which is more than enough for the vast majority of people.

Lordbenny

8,656 posts

225 months

Tuesday 4th September 2018
quotequote all
It’s the future, embrace it.

In 50+ years its the only way cars like these will be able to be driven on the road (I’m sure there will be specialist classic car track days for people who don’t want to electrify their Ferrari GTO’s or GT40’s and just go round in circles)

If you are a middle aged petrolhead with a classic in your garage that you are intending to pass down to your son/daughter be prepared for them to be plugging it it rather than visiting a petrol station when they finally get the keys to your pride and joy.

Mackofthejungle

1,113 posts

201 months

Tuesday 4th September 2018
quotequote all
fking awful. Get the PHEV tech into Fiestas and Golfs, make the batteries suitcase sized so we can carry them in and charge them in Europe where we don't have driveways, and leave it there.

This is just a joke. Worldwide E-Type emissions really a big problem eh? "I really want an E-Type, but I'm not into old cars or engines.." - see in the past, sensible people would've responded with "well clearly you don't want an E-Type".

Lordbenny

8,656 posts

225 months

Tuesday 4th September 2018
quotequote all
Mackofthejungle said:
fking awful. Get the PHEV tech into Fiestas and Golfs, make the batteries suitcase sized so we can carry them in and charge them in Europe where we don't have driveways, and leave it there.

This is just a joke. Worldwide E-Type emissions really a big problem eh? "I really want an E-Type, but I'm not into old cars or engines.." - see in the past, sensible people would've responded with "well clearly you don't want an E-Type".
It’s quite evident that English isn’t your first language...

Maybe you might want to have a look at this post and re-type it so that UK residents can understand it.

borat52

573 posts

214 months

Tuesday 4th September 2018
quotequote all
In terms of name there is no more appropriate than “E type” for electrification.

Gus265

267 posts

139 months

Tuesday 4th September 2018
quotequote all
My biggest problem with this is use of the words "...plus donor car..."

So we are now chopping up Series 1 E-types to turn them into electric ones? I can't believe for a second that this is easily reversible.

Jaguar are now being run by the anti-Christ! Stop this nonsense!

dukeboy749r

2,901 posts

216 months

Tuesday 4th September 2018
quotequote all
As a non-EV owning chap, yes please

Barchettaman

6,503 posts

138 months

Tuesday 4th September 2018
quotequote all
Lordbenny said:
Mackofthejungle said:
fking awful. Get the PHEV tech into Fiestas and Golfs, make the batteries suitcase sized so we can carry them in and charge them in Europe where we don't have driveways, and leave it there.

This is just a joke. Worldwide E-Type emissions really a big problem eh? "I really want an E-Type, but I'm not into old cars or engines.." - see in the past, sensible people would've responded with "well clearly you don't want an E-Type".
It’s quite evident that English isn’t your first language...

Maybe you might want to have a look at this post and re-type it so that UK residents can understand it.
Eh? I don’t agree with his POV but it seems to make sense. Odd comment, Benny.

Macboy

756 posts

211 months

Tuesday 4th September 2018
quotequote all
I can't help feeling Jaguar and Jaguar's SVO team are only one step away from Monkey Tennis - there appears to be nothing they won't do for publicity or to make a few quid regardless of how crass it is or how divergent from whatever their core brand direction is. They seem to be relying upon these "firework" projects to demonstrate relevance, heritage or competitiveness when the core offering isn't all that well received or class-leading (I drive an XE for the first time recently and was shocked at how out of date the interior felt). I am definitely in the "it's the kind of crass attempt at relevance that is best left to Aston Martin" camp on the E-E-type. They've been watching too much sci-fi (a dreadful Justin Timberlake movie appears to have been the original inspiration). Just no. Put some effort into the core business and stop this futuristic- heritage nonsense.

Wayoftheflower

1,387 posts

241 months

Tuesday 4th September 2018
quotequote all
Would've been better if they'd chucked a recreation or homage to E-type body over the I-pace skateboard. More power and range and some slinky looks to boot.

Would've been a better advertisement for Jags use of tech.

Now when can I have a Gattaca spec 356?

Wacky Racer

38,919 posts

253 months

Tuesday 4th September 2018
quotequote all
dukeboy749r said:
As a non-EV owning chap, yes please
Me too.

The XJ engine was old hat in the 1970's. (Lovely as it is to look at)



RobDickinson

31,343 posts

260 months

Tuesday 4th September 2018
quotequote all
Roy m said:
Hurricane52 said:
If it could get from Coventry to Geneva in an overnight dash, without having to stop for five hours at a time, there’d be a much longer queue.
And that surely is the whole electric car issue - a lack of range! If you can't drive 450 - 500 miles in a day (with ic power addition if necessary) then they are commuter cars only. Range anxiety is very real - we've come a long way from worrying whether a car would break down on a journey only to be taken back to that with an electric car! Give me an electric car with a small economical 3 cylinder IC engine which cuts in when motorway cruising and when extra power needed , a genuine 300 mile range on electric only and I'm in!
And leave the classics alone please - good for publicity but nothing else
This is a sunday morning drive car ffs

JMF894

5,741 posts

161 months

Tuesday 4th September 2018
quotequote all
It's a big No from me. From an technical/engineering point of view clever but................

Whilst I would happily have an EV for my commute if I could afford one with the range I need but for fun, especially in a classic, I want noise, smells, patina, nostalgia and.............. combustion!

Baldchap

8,293 posts

98 months

Tuesday 4th September 2018
quotequote all
Roy m said:
Hurricane52 said:
If it could get from Coventry to Geneva in an overnight dash, without having to stop for five hours at a time, there’d be a much longer queue.
And that surely is the whole electric car issue - a lack of range! If you can't drive 450 - 500 miles in a day (with ic power addition if necessary) then they are commuter cars only. Range anxiety is very real - we've come a long way from worrying whether a car would break down on a journey only to be taken back to that with an electric car! Give me an electric car with a small economical 3 cylinder IC engine which cuts in when motorway cruising and when extra power needed , a genuine 300 mile range on electric only and I'm in!
And leave the classics alone please - good for publicity but nothing else
As the owner of a Tesla Model X, I can tell you that you CAN do 450-500 miles a day, in the UK, with the current charging infrastructure. An 80% charge (over 200 real miles) takes 20 minutes. That's a brew and a wee. Let's be honest, if you aren't having a 20 minute break every 200 miles you probably shouldn't be driving anyway. A full charge is about 270 and it does a real world 240-250 (and it is always in Ludicrous mode, though obviously that only uses more energy if you're flooring it everywhere). And if we're being honest, a single journey over 250 miles has got to be less than 1% of our actual vehicle usage for most drivers; we've charged it about five times anywhere other than at home (but when we have, the Superchargers are excellent).

Honestly, range anxiety is a thing when you first buy, but twelve months on, it really isn't. It's the missus' daily and the car we use when we need to haul stuff round. Electric cars are 100% practical in the real world right now, not a thing for the future.