The Porsche 911 is the envy of numerous automakers, including Jaguar. For decades, the 911 has survived economic slowdowns and numerous other industry changes that have seen most competitors' sports car rivals discontinued. The Jaguar F-Type, for example, didn't arrive until 2013, 38 years since the discontinuation of the brand's previous dedicated two-seater, the E-Type. As the F-Type's life cycle is coming to an end, it's time for Jaguar to make a move, and this time it appears to be one step ahead of Porsche.

Autocar has learned the UK automaker recently registered to trademark the nameplate 'EV-Type' with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Automakers regularly file trademarks which often don't end up being attached to a series production vehicle, but this time it seems Jaguar is very serious about using the EV-Type name for a new all-electric sports car.

It's the perfect name for such a vehicle because it clearly indicates the powertrain technology as well as referencing the iconic E-Type and Jaguar's historic 'type' naming scheme. At the moment, Jaguar is still deciding the specifics for the F-Type successor but now-former brand design boss, Ian Callum, previously said he provided the company with a general blueprint for the car. His idea is to have a mid-engine layout inspired by the stunning C-X75 concept that never made production. A mid-engine design is ideally suited for electrification because of the floor-mounted batteries. However, a front-engined layout is still being considered, though it likely wouldn't be a pure battery-electric.

Just last year, Jaguar unveiled the Vision Gran Turismo Coupe concept, a 1,000-horsepower supercar with three electric motors. However, it was created exclusively for the Gran Turismo videogame. The chances it'll reach production are slim to none, but it does provide a preview as to what Jaguar might have planned, especially when taking into account the trademark request.

But there's still another hurdle Jaguar needs to figure out: a platform. Developing a bespoke platform solely for a niche sports car doesn't make much business sense. However, Jaguar Land Rover is rumored to be talking to BMW about expanding their collaboration on new drivetrain technologies that would save significant costs for both.

Eventually, BMW will also want to enter the all-electric sports car segment and it definitely wouldn't mind turning up the heat against Porsche as well.