Upon first blush, this looks like the most ‘conceptiest’ of concept cars. It could almost be used as the universal visual reference to what a typical future car would/could look like. The real surprise, though, is learning that it’s a Jaguar instead of, say, a Toyota.
It’s been dubbed the Future-Type, fittingly, and obvious is Jag’s interpretation of a car from the ‘the future’, but not so far out that we’ve outgrown roads altogether. However, we have apparently outgrown the want to own the actual car, content with merely possessing a steering wheel that we can take and temporarily graft onto each individual car we served.
It’s part of JLR’s wider mobility vision, which imagines a world in which fully autonomous vehicles rule are ubiquitous and car sharing is the new norm in over the by-then dated era of real ownership. Spotify for cars, just bring your own headphones (BYOH).
With the Future-Type, though, JLR (Jaguar, specifically, in this case) only the use of a Sayer steering wheel will be accepted - their internet-connected, voice-enabled, part-time decoration that was first shown very recently and that debuted alongside it at Jaguar’s Tech Fest event.
The British automaker hasn’t disclosed any real technical information about the car itself, happy to let it be a conduit to their idea of what the landscape of the automobile will look like in a couple of decades and beyond.
It’s narrow, aerodynamic, city-friendly body is actually fits 3 occupants, though as it’s described as a 2+1 that third passenger might need to either be a child or some groceries. However, once in autonomous mode, they can be made to face each other for that questionably handy conversation mode. You’ll also be able to engage manual steer and control, like a normal car, but the jury’s out if it’ll be able to provide drivers with even a moderately accurate recreation of the emotionality that, say, an F-Type can.
Ian Callum, Jaguar’s Director of Design, upon its unveil, said: “FUTURE-TYPE offers an insight into the potential for driving and car ownership in the future. It’s part of our vision for how a luxury car brand could continue to be desirable, in a more digital and autonomous age,”
“Our FUTURE-TYPE Concept is an advanced research project looking at how we can ensure an on-demand Jaguar will appeal to customers in 2040 and beyond. Whether it’s commuting to work, autonomously collecting children from school or enjoying driving yourself on the weekend in the countryside, if there’s a choice of on-demand cars driving around city streets, we need to ensure customers desire our 24/7 service over our competitors.”
“In a future age of on-demand services and car sharing, our research shows there will still be a place for luxury and premium experiences – and enjoying the drive. People will still want to travel in style and comfort, while the growth of car sharing actually increases the opportunity for people to experience what a Jaguar has to offer, even if they chose not to own one.”
The idea that automakers will be transformed into service providers, taking on the role of delivering premium experiences (such as the case with Jaguar and its rivals) to keep customers is an interesting one, though not without being met with a significant deal skepticism.
For more on Jaguar cars, check out our Showroom.
