On the interior, Glover said Jaguar won’t be “bombarding the driver with technology”.
“Most importantly, it’s got to be an amazing place to be in. The technology is there when you need it,” he said. “Jaguar is not going to win by having the best technology. That’s not a strategy.
“It’s a bit like the great watchmakers. Yes, there’s innovation in there but they don’t win by having tech. I think there’s an analogy there in terms of design, craftsmanship and engineering, and how things drive, rather than pure tech. I think we’ll probably leave that for the Chinese [car makers].”
Despite the likes of Aston Martin, Bentley, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volvo all rowing back on EV plans, Glover said “there is no flexibility” in the Jaguar plan to do anything other than full EVs. All new Jaguars will be built on the EV-bespoke Jaguar Electric Architecture (JEA), with no future compatibility for hybrids.
“We made the decision back in 2021 to have an electric architecture dedicated to us,” said Glover. “There isn’t the opportunity to put a V8 into it or something else. We’re committed to being electric.”
Glover believes “EV will be the right platform for us and the powertrain of choice” in the industry long term. The JEA will take Jaguar deep into the 2030s and “a lot of things will change” by then around reactions to range and charging, said Glover. “Advancements in technology and infrastructure are going to make a big difference.”
EV design will also get more interesting to help boost their appeal, believes Glover. Most of today’s EVs are designed to deliver range by featuring short bonnets, small wheels and cab-forward proportions and “you end up with perhaps not the most exciting or emotionally engaging” cars.
“Probably more than anything, what we need to do is produce a vehicle that people think is a great car that I really want to own from a brand that I like. The powertrain should be a secondary thing,” he said.
