Jaguar looks set to roll out its J-Type moniker for its next sports car range, that is expected to be electrified, after trademarks for the J-Type name were last month renewed with the European Intellectual Property Office.

The carmaker has held the J-Type name since 2002 and its renewal indicates it is being prepared for the next sportscar range, with British media suggesting it could replace the F-Type.

Jaguar uses the letter and 'Type' nomenclature for sportscars and, more recently, a prefix letter and the word 'Pace' for its SUVs.

The renewal is the second visit to the intellectual property office for Jaguar in July after also registering the C-Pace name, which could be either a new category of SUV or a coupe version of the current F-Pace.

Trademark registration for a new car is usually listed under Class 12 which applies to all types of land transport vehicles, including those with internal-combustion engines.

In its J-Type application, however, Jaguar has broadened that to include Class 9 that includes a broad range of electronics and electrical devices, such as charging stations, batteries for EVs and autonomous vehicles, while Class 37 covers services for vehicles.

The J-Type has the potential to be Jaguar’s first electric – either hybrid or full electric vehicle – sports car as its lodgement at the property office fell under the broad category that included autonomous driving systems, EVs, hybrids and even charging equipment.

Reports from the UK have stated the J-Type will replace the F-Type in around 2022. The reports also state the new sports car will be mid-engined, initially with a hybrid drive and later with a full EV powertrain.

The J-Type could follow the design and drivetrain principles of the 2010 Jaguar C-X75 concept sports car that used four electric motors and diesel-fuelled mini turbine generators. At the reveal of the car at the 2010 Paris motor show, Jaguar said the C-X75 would "influence future design and technology".

UK motoring publication Auto Express reported that Jaguar is yet to confirm the drivetrain of a new sportscar but it predicted it could follow the I-Pace EV SUV with electric motors on the front and rear axles to provide all-wheel drive.

The publication also said in its hybrid layout, the J-Type was likely to have a mid-mounted V6 supplemented by electric motors.

It said that the powertrain would need at least 410kW of power to be competitive against rivals including the McLaren 570S.
 
If the rumours are correct and the mid-engined J-Type reaches the showroom, it would be only the second time Jaguar has put a mid-engined car into mass production following the XJ220 of the 1990s.

An EV is not unexpected as Jaguar has promoted electric and hybrid propulsion and it has just held the global launch of its first EV – the I-Pace crossover – that will lob in Australia in November.

Jaguar design director Ian Callum said that last year’s Frankfurt motor show that he had probably designed his last internal-combustion vehicle.

Would you rather drive an electric Jaguar sportscar or is it internal combustion all the way? Tell us what you think in the comments below