The all-electric Jaguar I-PACE has been officially launched, with a 300-mile range, 400PS and 696Nm of torque delivering 0-60mph in 4.5 seconds; in other words, sports car performance and all-wheel drive with five-seat SUV practicality. It’s available to order now, priced from £63,495.
The I-PACE is a car that Green Car Guide has been eagerly anticipating for over 12 months, because, in addition to the above, we’re hoping that it will be differentiated from many other EVs by a more engaging and agile Jaguar-like driving experience. Optional air suspension with Adaptive Dynamics and continuous variable damping should help with delivering sporty handling and a comfortable ride. The air suspension also improves efficiency and optimises range by lowering the vehicle by 10mm at speeds above 65mph to reduce drag.
A 90kWh Lithium-ion battery delivers up to a 298-mile range – based on the new WLTP cycle rather than the old NEDC cycle, so it should be more accurate – with EV navigation to ensure range-optimised routing.
The styling is influenced by the Jaguar C-X75 supercar with a short, low bonnet, aero-enhanced roof design (with a full-size panoramic roof) and curved rear screen. Despite 22-inch wheels, the drag co-efficient is just 0.29Cd – an impressive figure for an SUV, helped by details such as the car’s flush door handles.
The Jaguar I-PACE is a mid-sized SUV, but thanks to the EV powertrain, it has interior space for five adults and luggage capacity comparable to a large SUV. The rear luggage compartment offers a 656-litre capacity – and 1,453-litres with the seats folded flat.
Two Jaguar-designed electric motors drive the front and rear axles. Each motor fits around a driveshaft, enabling instant and precise distribution of torque to all four wheels as the I-PACE continuously adapts its front-rear balance to suit road conditions. The I-PACE also has Jaguar’s most rigid body structure and 50:50 weight distribution.
The I-PACE enables the driver to select either high or low levels of regenerative braking to maximise efficiency and optimise vehicle range. When high regenerative mode is selected it effectively allows the driver to experience single-pedal driving as the car decelerates when lifting off the accelerator, reducing reliance on the brake pedal when slowing down.
A suite of smart range-optimising technologies includes a battery pre-conditioning system: when plugged in the I-PACE will automatically raise (or lower) the temperature of its battery to maximise range ahead of driving away. In cold conditions, a heat pump helps to maintain optimum operating conditions for the cells and the interior. This is far more efficient than conventional heaters because it uses energy from outside and heat scavenged from the inverters and power electronics to heat the cabin, rather than relying solely on energy from the battery, and can increase range by around 30 miles – even in freezing winter conditions.
The I-PACE will be fully compatible with 100kW chargers as the technology is rolled out across the UK, which will enable a 0-80% charge in less than 45 minutes. Home charging with an AC wall box (7kW) will provide a 0-80% charge in just over ten hours.
To ensure owners always have access to the latest infotainment, telematics and battery energy control software, the I-PACE will be the first Jaguar to provide software over-the-air – providing seamless updates.
The I-PACE has an 8-year battery warranty limited to 100,000 miles and 70% state of health. The whole vehicle warranty is three-years/unlimited mileage.
The I-PACE is available to order now, priced from £63,495, in S, SE and HSE derivatives alongside a First Edition.
The I-PACE has been designed and engineered by Jaguar Land Rover in the UK but the company will build the I-PACE in Austria as part of a manufacturing partnership with Magna Steyr.
The Jaguar I-PACE is definitely amongst the front-runners for our 2018 Car of the Year, because it’s a car that does everything, that looks amazing, and has zero emissions – so watch out for a full review coming to Green Car Guide as soon as possible!
GREEN CAR GUIDE REVIEWS OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES >>
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- Renault Kangoo ZE
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- Tesla Model S P85D
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