We get behind the wheel of Jaguar’s electric E-type

FIRST DRIVE

THE proliferation of hybrids and electric vehicles means near-silent transportation is a familiar sensation in 2018, but the sixties surroundings of Jaguar’s E-type Zero prototype lead you to expect something rather more rousing when you twist the key in the ignition.

Jaguar Classics, the team behind the E-type Zero, confirmed it would begin selling examples of the model, so Auto Express got behind the wheel ahead of customers taking delivery in 2020.

After a brief introduction to the controls – essentially, it’s like any other EV or automatic vehicle – the E-type pulls away smoothly, with just wind noise and the audible, but not unpleasant, whine of an electric motor.

Squeeze the accelerator harder and there’s a familiar sense of urgency to the 295bhp Zero’s acceleration – not just from other EVS, but also from the original straight-six E-type. The unassisted steering feels identical to the original (assistance will be optional), while lifting off results XXXXXXXX in moderate regenerative braking. Caption in space here There’s please a risk that converting classic cars Caption to electric space propulsion will dilute their character, here please but Jaguar’s strict in-house parameters Caption in space have created a model that feels here please almost identical to the original in everything but sound. With strong performance and a smooth drivetrain, it’s undoubtedly a “proper” Jaguar, too.