The most beautiful car ever made has gone electric

Car buffs debate everything and usually agree on nothing. But on one matter there is routine consensus: the Jaguar E-Type is the most beautiful car ever crafted by human hands on planet Earth.

The elegant, sporty Jag was produced for a surprisingly long time, from 1961 to 1975. Seeing one in the flesh today is as showstopping now as it was when Lyndon Johnson was President. No less an authority than Enzo Ferrari pronounced it the best-looking vehicle of all time.

Obviously, the car ran on petrol. Sensing an opportunity to make the glorious old beauty new again (and promote the arrival of the I-PACE electric vehicle), Jaguar has created an all-electric version of the E-Type and will the cover off at Jaguar Land Rover's Tech Fest in London on September 8.

The car looks exactly like a 1968 Series 1.5 Jaguar E-Type Roadster because it actually is a 1968 Series 1.5 Jaguar E-Type Roadster, restored at Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works, with the addition of an electric drivetrain.

Called the "E-Type Zero" (sorry, JLR, unfortunate name choice there, although we get it), the car "combines the renowned E-type dynamic experience with enhanced performance through electrification," Tim Hannig, Director of Jaguar Land Rover Classic, said in a statement.

"This unique combination creates a breathtaking driving sensation. Our aim with the E-type Zero is to future-proof classic car ownership. We're looking forward to the reaction of our clients as we investigate bringing this concept to market."

Jaguar said that the E-Type Zero's "lithium-ion battery pack has the same dimensions, and similar weight, to the original XK six-cylinder engine used in the E-type," and that if an owner wants, he or she can swap out the electric motor for a gas version. Acceleration is snappy: 0-62 mph is 5.5 seconds.

The carmaker didn't provide details on how many E-Type Zeros would be available, but given the rarity of the E-Type and its coveted nature among collectors, it's safe to assume not many.