- 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 definitions 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 information about the Jaguar I‑PACE at www.jaguar.com
The I‑PACE, Jaguar’s all‑electric performance SUV, is the 2019 World Car of the Year and European Car of the Year. However, strictly speaking, 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 and 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or technology to ensure it is consumer friendly, so it’s surprising to see that the definition of the car is a little outdated. 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.
David Browne
Head of Jaguar Land Rover’s naming committee
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, its first all‑electric vehicle, last year to deliver sustainable sports car performance, next‑generation artificial intelligence (AI) technology and five‑seat SUV practicality.
Featuring a state‑of‑the‑art 90kWh lithium‑ion battery, two Jaguar‑designed motors and a bespoke aluminium structure, the I‑PACE is capable of 0‑60mph in 4.5 seconds and a range of up to 292 miles (WLTP).
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.
Find out more about the Jaguar I‑PACE at www.jaguar.com