Jaguar FUTURE-TYPE is next chapter of car-sharing

Jaguar has released pictures of an all-new concept designed for a future where cars are shared rather than owned outright.

Featuring a removable steering wheel, with embedded artificial intelligence (AI), the new fully autonomous FUTURE-TYPE concept -- revealed overnight at Jaguar Land Rover's first ever TechFest event -- has been designed for the year 2040 and beyond.

Created to be an "advanced research project", the new narrow-bodied vehicle has been designed for life in a mega city where space is at a premium.

Inside the small capsule, there's 2+1 seating with armchairs which can rotate for face-to-face seating, allowing better socialising with your fellow passengers.

Thought to be powered by a pure-electric powertrain, the little Jag can be completely driverless but, more important than that, the FUTURE-TYPE is said to predict a world in which car-sharing, rather than ownership, is the norm.

Ahead of the FUTURE-TYPE's unveiling, Jaguar had already teased its innovative AI steering wheel.

Called 'Sayer', in tribute to the iconic E-Type's original designer Malcom Sayer, the steering wheel has been designed as a 'companion' claimed to be capable of carrying out hundreds of tasks.

It works by harnessing the power of advanced natural speech recognition technology which helps Sayer organise all your travel plans and select entertainment for your journey.

Unlike smart phone tools like Siri, the device incorporates far greater levels of connectivity. As well as being able to summon your car, it can automatically talk to other devices, like your fridge for example, to make sure you never run out of milk.

Despite being able to drive itself, the British car-maker is adamant Sayer will always let you actually drive yourself if you want to experience the "sheer thrill of driving".

Instead of owning a Jag, in the future Jaguar Land Rover hopes you'll do the next best thing and pay a subscription to its car-sharing scheme.