Jaguar I-Pace Redefines What It Means To Be A 'Car'

by Jaguar | August 15, 2019

•Jaguar is calling for the Oxford English Dictionary and Oxford Dictionaries to update their online definition of the word 'car'

•The online definition currently only defines a car as being powered by an internal combustion engine

•The all-electric Jaguar I-PACE was named 2019 World Car of the Year in April but using the current definition it isn't a 'car'

•Jaguar is encouraging people to contact them on social media using #RedefineTheCar with how the word car should be defined

•Find out more about the Jaguar I-PACE at www.jaguarusa.com

(MAHWAH, N.J) – August 14, 2019 – The Jaguar brand is spearheading a campaign for the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) and Oxford Dictionaries (OxfordDictionaries.com) to change their official online definitions of the word 'car'.

The I-PACE, the Jaguar brand's first all-electric performance SUV, is the 2019 World Car of the Year and European Car of the Year. However, based on its current definition, the zero-emission vehicle isn't defined as a 'car'.

The OED, the principal historical dictionary of the English language, defines a 'car' in its online dictionary as: 'a road vehicle powered by a motor (usually an internal combustion engine) designed to carry a driver and a small number of passengers, and usually having two front and two rear wheels, esp. for private, commercial, or leisure use.'

Whereas the current definition of a 'car' on Oxford Dictionaries.com, a collection of dictionary websites produced by Oxford University Press (OUP), the publishing house of the University of Oxford, is: 'A road vehicle, typically with four wheels, powered by an internal combustion engine and able to carry a small number of people.'

To remedy the situation, Jaguar has submitted a formal application to the OED an OxfordDictionaries.com to have the definitions updated to include additional powertrains, including electric vehicles (EV).

'A lot of time and thought is put into the name of any new vehicle or technology to ensure it is consumer friendly, so it's surprising to see that the definition of the car is a little outdated,' said, David Browne, head of the Jaguar Land Rover naming committee. 'We are therefore inviting the Oxford English Dictionary and the Oxford Dictionaries to update its online classification to reflect the shift from traditional internal combustion engines towards more sustainable powertrains.'

The Oxford English Dictionary is widely regarded as the accepted authority on the English language. It is an unsurpassed guide to the meaning, history, and pronunciation of 600,000 words - past and present - from across the English-speaking world.

Jaguar unveiled the I-PACE, last year to deliver sustainable vehicle performance, next-generation driver assistance technology and five-seat SUV practicality. Featuring a 90kWh lithium-ion battery, two Jaguar-designed motors and a bespoke aluminum structure, the I-PACE is capable of 0-60mph in 4.5 seconds1 and an EPA certified range of up to 234 miles2.

While both the Oxford English Dictionary and Oxford Dictionaries review the application, Jaguar is encouraging people to get behind the campaign by asking how the word 'car' should be defined. Contact Jaguar on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using #RedefineTheCar with your thoughts.

1 Always follow local speed limits.

2 EPA estimated all-electric range is 234 miles with a fully charged battery and 80 city, 72 highway, and 76 combined MPGe. MPGe is the EPA-equivalent measure of gasoline fuel efficiency for electric mode operation. All figures are EPA estimates. Actual range and mileage will vary with driving conditions and style, and other factors.

Photo credit: Jaguar
posted on conceptcarz.com