Elon Musk, the king of electric vehicles and the mastermind behind Tesla, did something no one saw coming – he talked about petrol cars. And not just any car – its petrol cars. This unexpected admission came after Musk took a dig at Jaguar. The British carmaker recently unveiled a new logo and a bright, colorful website to mark its transition to EVs. The new design is sleek and modern, but Musk wasn’t impressed. Responding to his promo video, he tweeted, “Do you sell cars?” After this Musk revealed that he has only two petrol cars. So why is Musk suddenly talking about nearly 50-year-old petrol cars? Let’s take a closer look.

So here’s what happened: Jaguar recently released a new logo to signal its leap into the electric vehicle (EV) future. The bold, classic font that once screamed luxury and heritage has been replaced by something sleek, simple and, well, funky. The new design, coupled with a bright, colorful website, feels less like a luxury car maker and more like a cool clothing brand, like United Color of Benetton. If you visit the website, you’d probably think a clothing brand had hijacked Jaguar’s website and altered it to suit its tastes. It seems as if it does not belong to any car company but to some fashion label.

Jaguar says the rebranding is about a new era – bold, fresh and unapologetically modern. But Musk, being Musk, couldn’t resist throwing shade. Responding to their hot new promo video he quipped, “Do you sell cars?” A classic Musk mic drop. Now Jaguar has not yet revealed if they are transitioning to EVs, but this is what industry experts are predicting.

But this is where it gets interesting. In a follow-up tweet to a person who shared the image of the Jaguar model, Musk revealed that although he is all about EVs, he actually only owns two petrol cars. And they’re not your everyday gas guzzlers – they’re absolute icons – the 1967 Jaguar E-Type and the Ford Model T.

1967 Jaguar E-Type

First up is the Jaguar E-Type. And no, it’s not Musk jumping on the Jaguar bandwagon because of its rebrand. It is an E-type car. Dubbed “the most beautiful car ever made” by Enzo Ferrari, it is a vehicle that makes you stop and stare – even decades after its debut.

Musk’s 1967 model is a work of art. With its super long long hood, smooth turns and timeless design, it’s not just a car – it’s a style statement. But it wasn’t just about looks. Underneath that iconic body was a spectacular 4.2-liter inline-six engine, producing approximately 265 horsepower. In the ’60s, this thing could reach speeds of 150 mph – a feat that put it miles ahead of its time.

Musk has a personal connection to this car, describing it as his dream car as a young man. Their first E-Type was apparently a nightmare. It kept breaking, but he still kept it intact.

ford model t

Musk’s second car is a Ford Model T. If the E-Type is about speed and beauty, the Model T is about history. This is the car that set the world on wheels.

The Model T, introduced in 1908, was the first car to be mass-produced, making it affordable for the masses. Musk’s Model T, despite being over a century old, is still functional. Its 20-horsepower engine and 45 mph top speed may not sound exciting, but back in the day, this car was revolutionary. It was a breakthrough in the world of mobility.

But why is Musk suddenly talking about his petrol cars? Perhaps it’s a subtle jab at Jaguar. The E-Type represents Jaguar at its best – a time when they were innovators, dominating the world with stunning cars that didn’t just drive.

With Jaguar now transitioning to EVs, Musk’s message could be, “Don’t forget what made you great.” Sure, EVs are the future (and Tesla owns that space), but the E-Type is proof that Jaguar knows how to create magic – when they stick to what they’re best at.