E-XCITING E-PACE
FINALLY, A JAG FOR THE MASSES
The internet jeered Porsche for introducing the Cayenne in 2003. Keyboard experts were sure that this affront to traditional rear engine-loving devotees would be a flop. And we were all 100 per cent wrong.
The Cayenne went on to become Porsche’s single most popular model on an annual sales basis, and the F-Pace is doing much the same thing for Jaguar. The public has an unquenchable thirst for CUVs, and now Jaguar has unveiled its latest offering in the segment: the E-Pace.
Slotting in under the F-Pace, the E-Pace will be the most affordable car in the Jaguar lineup, with a $42,700 starting price.
The E-Pace is a five-seat CUV based loosely on the Range Rover Evoque. Jaguar engineers deemed the Evoque’s rear suspension not capable of delivering the sporty feeling that’s so important in a Jaguar, and instead used a downsized version of the F-Pace’s rear setup in the E-Pace.
Canadian models will come with Jaguar’s Ingenium 2.0-litre turbocharged in-line four with 246 horsepower at 5,500 rpm, and 269 poundfeet of torque from just 1,200 rpm, backed by a nine-speed automatic and AWD.
On top-spec models, the turbo-four makes a full 296 hp at 5,500 rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque from 1,500 rpm. The base engine gets a standard AWD setup, which sends power to the front, rear or both, depending on the situation.
The 296-hp version uses an active driveline system that also incorporates an electronic rear differential with wet-plate clutches that sends power side to side for more dynamic cornering.
Standard is torque vectoring, using the brakes to drag inside wheels on a turn to aid rotation and reduce understeer. As well, on R-Dynamic models, Jaguar offers an Adaptive Dynamics system with continuously variable shock absorbers.
The E-Pace is the prettiest CUV on the market. The tail lights are reminiscent of the F-Pace and the front overhang has been tucked well in, as it is with a traditional Jaguar sports car. The roofline is rakish and there’s a long rear spoiler to smooth airflow.
The windshield features a tiny graphic of a jaguar and its cubs, implying that the E-Pace is the perfect car to carry around cubs of your own. Wheels will be available in 18-, 19- and 21-inch sizes.
Jaguar went with a dual-cockpit front-seat layout divided by the centre console, featuring a prominent passenger grab handle designed to mimic the shape of the F-Type fender vents. The console is also home to a 10-inch TouchPro infotainment screen that works like a smartphone.
Behind the 60/40-split rear seats is a 685-L cargo space, or 1,487 L with the rear seats folded. This is more than the Audi Q3 and only slightly less with the seats down than the Porsche Macan. There are also generous storage bins and cubbyholes inside, every passenger seat gets its own USB port, and there are other 12-volt and USB ports in the cabin.
The E-Pace has a full suite of active safety features available, such as park assist, emergency braking and blind-spot assist. The lineup will also include the S ($45,200), SE ($48,200) and First Edition ($59,000) with the base engine. With the 296 hp engine, there is the R-Dynamic ($51,000), the R-Dynamic SE ($54,000) and the R-Dynamic HSE ($57,300).
Canadian models are expected to arrive in the first part of next year.
It occupies a much lower price point than the Macan, which offers turbo V-6 engines and much more horsepower.
The E-Pace aligns more favourably with the Audi Q3. But the luxury compact CUV segment is a crowded one and Jaguar is sure to find plenty of E-Pace buyers.