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Jaguar’s reboot was so dramatic that it still feels a little surreal. At the end of 2025, the brand built its last petrol-powered F-Pace in Solihull, closing the book on the approximately 90-year history of internal combustion engines. The next chapter is expected to come in the form of the wild-looking Type 00, a four-door GT with a long hood that aims to relaunch Jaguar as an all-electric luxury player. Now there’s a new rumor that suggests the plan may not be as black and white as we’ve been told.
A report from the UK claims that Jaguar engineers have considered adding a small internal combustion engine to the Type 00 that would not power the wheels but act as a generator, charging the battery while driving. Commonly referred to as an extended-range electric vehicle, this setup is intended to allay some buyers’ biggest fear about switching to electric cars: What happens if you’re far from a charger or log long miles on the highway in icy weather? The Type 00 has already been linked to good EV range estimates, but the report suggests Jaguar may want the option of an even longer-legged grand tourer, more like something you’d confidently drive to another state without staring at a charging map.
Things get messy here because Jaguar Land Rover has pushed back hard. Autocar says a senior source has described the range extender discussion as “nonsense”, and other media outlets are reporting that a Jaguar spokesman insists the plan to reinvent Jaguar as an all-electric luxury brand remains unchanged. In other words, Jaguar says the Type 00 remains a fully electric car, period. At the same time, the rumor refuses to die because it fits so well with the shape and mission of the car: a big, dramatic GT for high-end buyers who expect effortless long-distance capability.
The idea of a range extender is not new and is not the same as a traditional hybrid. Think of it like an electric vehicle that has a small on-board power plant. They run on electric motors all the time and the gas engine is only there to generate electricity when it is needed. BMW flirted with the concept years ago with the i3 REx, and more and more brands have revisited similar solutions to bridge the gap between electric vehicle performance and real-world comfort. The big question for Jaguar is packaging and platform design, as a dedicated EV architecture can make adding any combustion hardware a major engineering problem.
Even though Jaguar never installed a generator under the long hood of the Type 00, the broader JLR family clearly values range extenders. The company is already committed to plans to revive the Freelander name through its partnership with Chery, and these future models have been linked to electrified powertrains that include range-extender variants. So for now, the Type 00 story is best treated as a live rumor with firm denials, but it’s also a reminder that the transition to electric vehicles is still evolving in real time. If Jaguar’s new edition is to appeal to traditional GT buyers, it must offer not just speed and style, but also the kind of freedom that makes a grand tourer feel like a grand tourer.
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Darryl Taylor Dowe is an experienced automotive professional with a proven track record of leading successful companies and providing strategic advice across the automotive industry. With years of hands-on experience in both business operations and market development, Darryl has played a key role in helping automotive brands grow and adapt to a rapidly evolving landscape. His insight and leadership skills have earned him recognition and contributions as a trusted expert Automobile addicts reflect his deep knowledge and passion for the business side of the automotive world.
