2016 Paris Motor Show: Electric Jaguar: ‘more to come’

X590 electric SUV to spearhead EV push for British brand.

After months of speculation, Jaguar has given the clearest indication yet it is working on an all-electric SUV that could rival the Tesla Model X.

Speaking at the 2016 Paris Motor Show, Jaguar Land Rover CEO Ralf Speth announced that the imminent entry of the I-Type electric open wheeler into the Formula E race series would lead to production cars.

“Jaguar is back on track in Formula E. It’s our first step towards electrification,” said Speth. “More to come soon, watch this space.”

Speculation has centred around a Jaguar F-Pace-inspired electric SUV codenamed X590, a car that has been caught testing in Europe.

Speth said the race program was crucial to the development of the yet-to-be-revealed road going electric car.

“It will be a huge academy for all our young engineers to learn, to learn fast… it’s not only a new electronic architecture… at the end of the day it’s a completely new powertrain system combined with traditional elements.”

Speth admitted Jaguar is late to the hybrid and electric scene – key rivals Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi all now sell plug-in hybrid electric vehicles – but that it was “pioneering” with its application of electric propulsion.