Reinvention is no small feat, especially when you’re Jaguar. After years of grappling with identity crises, the storied carmaker has decided it’s time to go big or go home. And by “big,” we mean an ambitious leap into the electric era, marked by the unveiling of its Type 00 Concept, a coupe that previews Jaguar’s new design direction. Yet, the true spearhead of this electric rebirth will be an “electric four-door GT,” set to debut in late 2025.

Backed by a polarizing rebranding effort, this upscale EV represents Jaguar’s intent to redefine its identity and woo buyers with cutting-edge technology, all while setting its sights on the exclusive Bentley crowd. But will this high-stakes gamble cement Jaguar’s legacy, or is it destined to become yet another forgotten footnote in automotive history?

More: Radical Jaguar Type 00 Concept Previews Make-Or-Break MY26 Electric Sedan

If the concept‘s name is anything to go by, the production version may adopt the moniker Type 01—a nod to its zero-emissions credentials and its role as the first of Jaguar’s revamped lineup. This GT will be the first in a three-model offensive, followed by a luxury SUV and and a yet-to-be-revealed offering, completing the brand’s transformation by 2029.

A Bold New Look

Illustrations: Thanos Pappas for CarScoops

One year out from its official debut, we’ve pieced together everything we know about Jaguar’s upcoming four-door GT, including some exclusive renderings we created. These images are based on the company’s own teasers of the camouflaged prototype sedan infused with the styling DNA of the Type 00 concept.

Jaguar’s new “Copy Nothing” motto certainly sets ambitious expectations, but some familiar shapes came to mind when we first saw the prototype. On one hand, it radiates Bentley vibes; on the other, some might unkindly see shades of a chopped Chrysler 300C, though that impression likely owes more to the heavy camouflage and faux grille than any actual design intent.

What Lies Beneath the Wraps?

As you would expect, our renderings aim to uncover what’s hidden beneath the zebra-style camouflage. The transition from concept to production means saying goodbye to some of the dramatic flair of the Type 00. The butterfly doors? Gone. The exotic proportions? Toned down. But don’t despair; this four-door GT is still poised to command attention. Think sportier than a BMW i7 but more commanding than a Porsche Taycan, with a low-slung stance, fastback tail, and a striking dash-to-axle ratio that screams classic grand tourer.

Up front, Jaguar’s new face is likely to feature a fully covered grille, slim LED lighting, and functional intakes for aerodynamics. The side profile will flaunt large wheels, possibly up to 23 inches, as hinted at by the concept, and the brand’s quirky new detail: a “hand-finished brass ingot” with a laser-etched leaper logo doubling as a camera cover. Subtle? Not really. Stylish? You bet.

More: Callum Turns Jaguar C-X75 Into The Street-Legal Supercar It Was Meant To Be

One feature likely to make it to production is the absence of a rear windscreen, following a trend popularized by models like the Polestar 4 and Avatr 12. A body-colored glazed panoramic roof could be offered as an option, catering to those who aren’t entirely sold on the idea of shutters replacing glass.

If Jaguar’s flamboyant Miami Pink and London Blue shades caught your eye, better get used to them. These colors are part of the brand’s new “Exuberant Colors” identity, alongside other quirky branding elements like the “Device Mark” Jaguar lettering and the monogrammed “Maker’s Marks.”

Interior Minimalism Meets Luxury

Inside, expect a blend of high-quality materials, minimalist design, and plenty of high-tech features. The concept offers a clear glimpse of Jaguar’s ambitions, though some of its more extravagant elements will be dialed back for production. Among the standout features could be a digital cockpit, with expansive screens for both the driver and front passenger that cleverly disappear when not in use.

More: Bentley Confirms First EV For 2026 But Pushes Back EV-Only Goal By 5 Years

As for materials, Jaguar appears keen to set itself apart from rivals. Think woven textiles, brass, alabaster, and even travertine stone, all chosen to create a unique sensory experience that feels a step above traditional luxury. A four-seater layout seems like the most practical and fitting option for this four-door GT, which is also expected to offer a reasonably large boot for added usability.

Under the Skin: EV-Only DNA

Unlike other brands that have recently scraped their EV-only plans, Jaguar’s commitment to electrification is unwavering. The GT will ride on the Jaguar Electric Architecture (JEA), an EV-dedicated platform promising sharp handling and supreme comfort. While official specs remain under wraps, we know the automaker is targeting a WLTP range of up to 770 km (478 miles) and ultra-fast charging that can add 321 km (200 miles) in just 15 minutes, reducing waiting times. Power? Jaguar isn’t saying, but we’re pretty sure it’ll pack enough punch to compete with Porsche and AMG’s electric heavyweights.

Premium Price Tag, Premium Ambitions

Jaguar is unapologetically repositioning itself as a super luxury brand, and the four-door GT will reflect that. Reportedly priced north of £100,000 ($127,300), it’s aiming to rub shoulders with Bentley, not BMW. It’s a daring move, we’ll give them that, as it doubles the price point of Jaguar’s outgoing lineup, but likely a necessary step for a brand determined to break free from its mid-market luxury struggles.

It’s also worth mentioning that the new Jaguar will be manufactured in the UK, emphasizing the brand’s commitment to its British roots. Stay tuned, as more details about the four-door GT are expected to emerge in the lead-up to its unveiling, roughly a year from now.

Two weeks from now, Jaguar will reveal a concept of the four-door electric luxury sedan that it hopes will transform it from a failed BMW rival to a profitable Porsche and Bentley competitor. But the new GT only exists because Jag took a brave decision to scrap the almost production-ready electric XJ and start again – and a leaked photo proves it was the right decision.

Our spy photo team snapped prototypes of the XJ EV testing before the project was axed in early 2021 by then-boss Thierry Bolloré, but a single image apparently taken inside a JLR workshop and leaked online gives us our first camo-free look at what might have been.

Related: Jaguar’s New Electric GT Looks Like A BMW i7 With Attitude

They say a picture speaks a thousand words, and in this case 987 of them are synonyms for “boring” or “derivative.” The photograph shows a white XJ sedan that looks like a composite image built using various parts from other Jags and rival cars. It’s like someone started with a Tesla Model S – the XJ’s intended target –  including its rising window line and pop-out door handles, then grafted on a rear quarter window from the F-type coupe and the front end of an i-Pace.

The most interesting bit is the headlights, which wrap around the corners of the car’s nose, but overall it simply looks too much like a facelifted XF and entirely lacks the wow factor a big Jag should have. We can’t imagine it would have set the market on fire, and JLR obviously thought the same.

But early indications are that the concept due on December 2 will absolutely have that wow factor. Three images of a disguised prototype released by Jaguar last week showed a long, low, sedan with a swept-back windshield – and reportedly no rear window at all.

So the stillborn X360 Jaguar ‘XJ-E’ has leaked. I’m still after the studio launch photos… pic.twitter.com/TrtdnCuOLt

— Richard Seddon (@RikSed) November 17, 2024

When Jag scrapped the electric XJ it wasn’t simply because it had lost faith in the car, which was apparently only a year away from sale. The automaker had lost faith in its entire direction, having spent more than 20 years trying and failing to compete directly with the likes of BMW and Mercedes. Junking the XJ, and more recently, its entire product line, allowed Jaguar to start afresh.

Instead of aiming at BMW, Jag wants to move upmarket and position itself as a rival to Porsche and even Bentley. Its new generation of cars starting with next year’s sedan (pictured below) and followed by two more EVs before the decade’s end, will be more expensive, and more luxurious.

What do you think? Could the XJ in the leaked image have worked in the market or was Jaguar right to scrap it?