Jaguar’s electric future
Formula E race series to inspire array of roadgoing Jags
JAGUAR will take lessons learned from its Formula E racing programme to develop a whole range of future electric models – including the possibility of a sports car, according to bosses.
Auto Express can reveal that the I-pace SUV will kickstart the manufacturer’s EV roll-out. Based on completely new electrical architecture, the production version is set to make its public debut at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show. Design director Ian Callum told us at last month’s Shanghai Motor Show: “The [electric] ‘skateboard platform’ is the future, and we have to design a whole range of cars around it and accept what comes.”
Jaguar is also working hard on the development of battery tech, targeting increasing efficiency while reducing the unit’s physical size. According to technical design director Wolfgang Ziebart, battery efficiency is increasing by six per cent every year, and will continue to do so “for the foreseeable future”. He added: “Initially the EV was considered an inner-city car, but then it was discovered that the electric drive actually is the best for a racing car.”
Jaguar’s entry into Formula E will also help accelerate the brand’s EV plans thanks to the closer relationship the sport has with road cars than Formula One does. “To me, Formula E plays a major role with the [electric] car. The connection between Formula E and what actually happens in the production vehicle is much, much closer than it is in F1,” Ziebart explained.
“When it comes to motor design, this is more or less the same thing. It’s very important to fully exploit the energy content of the battery, and we can learn and transfer that from Formula E into the series production cars.”
Callum added that the skateboard platform opens up opportunities for various battery layouts, telling us: “We have to find an objective to make it work, and the skateboard platform is the simplest way of doing it. If you look at a backbone, mid-engine configuration, you do have room behind the occupants to put batteries – as in the C-X75. We have to investigate these things.”
“Jaguar is working hard on developing battery tech, increasing efficiency and reducing physical size” I-pace SUV could be joined by sports car in EV family Constantly improving battery tech means endless possibilities