COMING ATTRACTION
THE E- PACE WILL BE THE MOST AFFORDABLE CAR IN THE JAGUAR LINEUP.
The internet jeered Porsche for introducing the Cayenne in 2003. Keyboard experts ( myself included) 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.
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 used a downsized version of the F- Pace’s rear setup in the E- Pace. Its fenders, tailgate and other components are made from aluminum to help bring the weight down to 1,893 kilograms.
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 lbft of torque from 1,500 rpm. Jaguar’s internal testing for the 246- hp version revealed fuel economy at 8.4 L/100 km highway and 10.2 city.
The base engine gets a standard AWD setup, which sends power to the front, rear or both, depending on the situation.
Standard on all models is torque vectoring, using the brakes to drag inside wheels on a turn to aid rotation and reduce understeer. 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 over the rear hatch.
The windshield features a tiny graphic of a jaguar and its cubs. Wheels will be available in 18-, 19- and 21- inch sizes, depending on trim level.
Inside, Jaguar went with a dual-cockpit front-seat layout divided by the centre console. The console is also home to a 10-inch TouchPro infotainment screen that works like a smartphone, with pinching, swiping and zooming capabilities. An optional 12.3- inch HD virtual Interactive Driver Display can replace the standard driver gauges.
Of course, the E- Pace has a full suite of active safety features available, such as park assist, emergency braking and blind-spot assist, but not all will be available on the base model.
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).