Jaguar is presently solely producing one mannequin, the F-Tempo SUV, after killing off the remainder of its lineup in anticipation of upcoming electrical vehicles which can be nonetheless over a yr away. Seems that’s not precisely true, although — Jag simply introduced that it constructed two new E-Varieties for a buyer in Southeast Asia. That’s proper, I mentioned new E-Varieties.
These two roadsters are a distinct animal from the 2017 E-Kind Reborn and the 2021 E-Kind 60 Assortment, which have been all restorations constructed on current vehicles. Jaguar’s Basic division constructed the 2 new E-Varieties from scratch utilizing unique blueprints, with over 2,000 hours of labor going into every one. Known as the E-Kind Commemorative, these Sequence I vehicles are impressed by the Sequence III Commemorative Editions of which 50 have been in-built 1974 as a part of the automobile’s ultimate manufacturing run.
Each are powered by Jag’s famend 3.8-liter inline-6 engine, however with digital gasoline injection added and a five-speed handbook transmission instead of the unique four-speed. Different trendy touches embody Jaguar Basic’s Bluetooth-equipped radio and a heated windshield. Jaguar hasn’t mentioned whether or not any modifications have been made to the brakes, suspension or different parts; it looks like powertrain adjustments apart, the brand new vehicles are similar to the originals.
One of many E-Varieties is painted Opal Black whereas the opposite is Signet Inexperienced, each colours utilized by that 1974 particular version. The interiors have tan Bridge of Weir leather-based with hand-woven seat facilities, one thing Jaguar Basic had by no means accomplished earlier than. Etched into the anodized aluminum middle console is a Sequence I blueprint taken from the archives, which has been displayed on the New York Museum of Fashionable Artwork alongside the E-Kind that’s a part of the museum’s everlasting assortment.
To actually make these E-Varieties particular, Jaguar collaborated with Deakin & Francis, England’s oldest manufacturing jeweller that has been working since 1786, to create parts comprised of 18-carat gold, mom of pearl and stable silver. The bar within the grille is comprised of silver with guilloche mom of pearl, with the Growler brand being made from gold, and the rear badges are enamelled sterling silver. The steering wheel horn button is silver with a gold Growler and mom of pearl inlay, and the shift knob is sterling silver, once more with mom of pearl and a gold Growler that Jaguar says “supplies decadent tactility.” The dashboard switches switches are knurled silver with a hallmarked silver bezel, too.
Jaguar Basic hasn’t mentioned how a lot the E-Kind Commemoratives price to fee and produce, however certainly it was an astronomical quantity. No particulars in regards to the purchaser got both, solely that they’re “a loyal, discerning consumer.” In case you’re a mega-rich individual studying this and need new E-Varieties of your individual, too dangerous. Jaguar says these two would be the solely ones that its Basic division will ever construct.
