JAGUAR I-PACE

BILLING itself as the world’s first premium electric SUV, ahead of Audi’s imminent e-tron (and ignoring Tesla’s Mpv-esque Model X), the production Jaguar I-pace differs little from the concept car unveiled at Geneva a year earlier. Featuring an electric motor on each axle for a combined 294kw/696nm (and 0-100km/h in 4.8sec), the I-pace can fastcharge its batteries to 80 percent within 40 minutes and has a maximum range of 480km. Priced from $119,000 when it goes on sale in Oz late this year, the I-pace rejects Jaguar’s traditional long-nosed form for a daringly cab-forward stance, and fully exploits the packaging advantages of its electric drivetrain, including 656 litres of boot space. NP