Jaguar’s new SUV hits the road
JAGUAR has unveiled its latest model - the all new E-Pace compact SUV.
The E-Pace will sit below the F-Pace in the marque’s SUV line-up, which will be further expanded when Jaguar launches its all-electric I-Pace next year.
Unusually the new model will be produced, for the time being at least, in Austria.
The Coventry car maker does not have a plant there but has sealed a deal with Magna Steyr to produce its forthcoming I-Pace there.
The E-Pace is to be built there as the firm’s UK capacity is at breaking point, due to its continued growth.
Jaguar say the E-Pace, the design of which has been inspired by the F-Type sports car, “packs the design and performance of a Jaguar sports car into a spacious, practical and connected allwheel-drive vehicle”.
Jaguar’s director of design Ian Callum said: “Established Jaguar design principles ensure the E-Pace is immediately recognisable as the sports car of its class.
“Our new compact SUV combines the interior space, connectivity and security that families expect with the kind of proportions, purity of design and performance not usually associated with such a practical vehicle.”
The car maker is adding more SUVs to its range due to ever increasing demand and following the success of the F-Pace, which recently landed the coveted World Car of the Year award.
The F-Pace has also contributed hugely to Jaguar’s growth, boosting sales by 83 per cent last year.
Jaguar Land Rover’s chief executive Ralf Speth has said Jaguar Land Rover is aiming to sell more than a million cars a year and an expanding Jaguar model range forms a key part of delivering on that.
Jaguar say it will be one of the most connected and intelligent vehicles in its class.
It features Jaguar’s nextgeneration touchscreen infotainment system which connects people to their favourite apps through InControl apps.
Digital connectivity is a feature found throughout the cabin, with up to four 12-volt charging points and five USB connections as well as a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot for up to eight devices.
It offers a roomy and open interior with 577 litres of luggage space. From an engineering perspective the E-Pace features lightweight suspension architecture, allwheel drive, Active Driveline and torque vectoring to provide what Jaguar describe as “excellent agility and all-surface traction”.
It is the first Jaguar to exclusively feature Ingenium petrol and diesel engines, from the 150PS diesel with 124g/km CO2 emissions to the 300PS petrol accelerating from standstill to 60mph in 5.9 seconds.
At launch the E-Pace comes in First Edition or R-Dynamic form and both are available with S, SE and HSE specification packs and a choice of five engines.
Alan Volkaerts, vehicle line director for the E-Pace and former boss of Jaguar Land Rover’s Solihull plant, said: “The E-PACE provides the best of both worlds - Jaguar sports car dynamics with compact SUV practicality.
“The latest addition to the Pace family provides comfort and interior space allied to engaging handling and Jaguar Land Rover’s latest Ingenium petrol and diesel engines.”
The new E-Pace costs from £28,500 and orders for the car are now being taken.