Published on: 7/15/2017IST

The Jaguar E-Pace has finally been revealed at a glitzy launch event in Londons Excel Arena and it's cheap(ish), cheerful, and seriously tempting.

After broad prodding, Jaguar has formally declared its third games utility vehicle, the Jaguar E-Pace. The new model is as of now on special, and will begin delivery to clients inside the following six months. Be that as it may, what is it, and why would it be a good idea for you to mind?

Here are the seven fundamental things you have to think about the Jaguar E-Pace.

Related:Difference between Jaguar XE 2016,2017 & 2018

1. ITS ACTUALLY JAGUARS THIRD SUV

Jaguar Land Rover has a long and proud history of building SUVs, but the core Jaguar brand has typically shied away from the category.

However, tempted by insane growth in the SUV segment, Jaguar launched its first SUV the F-Pace back in 2016. After a massive sales success, Jaguar went on to announce the I-PACE, a second SUV and Jaguars first all-electric vehicle due on roads next year.

But there was still some market left to capitalise on, and thats the compact SUV sector. Enter the E-Pace, a vehicle that sits below the F-Pace in Jaguars line-up, and is intended to capitalise on the 23% growth Jaguar is expecting to see in the compact SUV market between now and 2020.

2. THE E-PACE IS THE CHEAPEST JAGUAR SUV TO DATE

Finbar McFall, Jaguars Global Product Director, says that the car will attract typically couples, maybe young families, and that 80% of E-Pace buyers will be new to the Jaguar brand.

Thats why Jaguar has started pricing from as low as 28,500 in the UK, which makes it the companys cheapest SUV ever. In the US, youll pay $38,600, while European buyers will have to fork out 34,950.

Theres also a special First Edition for more cash-flush buyers, which is limited by time rather than by volume, were told. This will cost 47,800 in the UK, 53,550 in the USA, and 62,675 in Europe.

3. IT WAS CODENAMED CUB DURING DEVELOPMENT

Speaking to press, Jaguar design don Ian Callum revealed that his teams codename for the E-Pace during development was the cub.

This is important, because its a great description of how Jaguar sees this car. While the F-Pace is intended to be a full-fat SUV similar to a top-end Land Rover or Range Rover, the E-Pace is a more compact offering la the Range Rover Evoque.

"Most of it is in the silhouette; creating that roofline which sweeps off the back of the car, exaggerated by the real spoiler, Callum told us. It gives the car that sense of speed and dynamism.

He added: This is the face of modern Jaguar."

4. IT WAS ALSO INSPIRED BY THE F-TYPE SPORTS CAR

A key part of what separates the E-Pace from the bigger F-Pace is the fact that it was inspired by Jaguars flagship sports car, the F-Type. As Callum explains, the design is unashamedly from the F-Type. Why not? Its a sport utility vehicle. The emphasis is on sport.

The most obvious callback to the F-Type is the headlamp design, which is very different from the wide-eyed lights on the F-Pace. With the E-Pace, theyre very sleek and feline, just as is the case with the F-Type.

Jaguar also borrowed the familiar lines that mark the haunches on the side of the car off the F-Type too, and even carried over the F-Types grab-handle gear stick.

Related:Jaguar XE 2018 is more an XF

5. IT DOES 0-60MPH IN UNDER SIX SECONDS

A Jaguar wouldnt be a Jaguar without some serious motoring heft under the hood, and the E-Pace is no different.

There are five different Ingenium engine types two of which are diesel and three petrol with the top-spec version capable of a blistering 0-60mph time of just 5.9 seconds. Its also capable of a 151mph top speed, which isnt bad for an SUV.

The basic model offers a less nippy 0-60mph of 9.5 seconds and a maximum speed of 124mph, but its also about 1.5x more efficient in terms of fuel.

Excitingly, theres an option for Jaguars new Active Driveline system, which is an all-wheel-drive outfit that can adapt to a rear-wheel-drive character. This means you can drive it more like a sporty RWD car like the F-Type, see? with controlled drifts and power-on oversteer. This Active Driveline mode also disengages during steady driving to boost fuel efficiency but can be reengaged in just 300ms.

Theres also a new Adaptive Dynamics system that adjusts the E-Paces damper settings every 10ms. This reduces body roll and prepares the vehicle for poor or no-road use when it detects a change in road conditions.

6. ITS SERIOUSLY SPACIOUS

Jaguar Land Rover is renowned for creating SUVs that get stuff done, and thats the case with the E-Pace too.

Specifically, the E-Pace has been designed to maximise spaciousness inside the car. For instance, youll get 8.42 litres of central stowage, 10.07 litres in the lockable glovebox, 577 litres of boot space, and 1234 litres of luggage space if you fold the rear seats forward.

The central stowage compartment will take two one-litre bottles of water in the so-called mega-bin or as design lead Callum remarks: You can get two bottles of wine in it. Thats very important.

Related:Jaguar XE 2018, most of the features of XF

The wheelbase the distance from wheel centre to wheel centre is a lengthy 2.61m, which is shorter than the F-Paces 2.87m, but similar to the 2.64m wheelbase of the rival Nissan Qashqai. The advantage of this substantial length is that it's possible to store objects that are 1.6m long, and still get two passengers in the car.

7. THERES BUCKETLOADS OF TECHNOLOGY ON BOARD

Where Jaguar is really hoping to win over the upper-percentile millennials is the on-board tech, as McFall outlines: They need practicality, but they also want standout design and the latest technology.

Theres a new 10-inch Touch Pro tablet that acts as the cars infotainment system, and lets you control contacts, music, and vehicle and navigation options. This means youll still get physical rotary dials and tactile switches, which are a big deal for Callum: Im a big believer in tactile controls. The idea of these great big screens where you dont touch anything is not quite right for Jaguar.

If you disagree however, then you may be more interested in the optional 12.3-inch TFT panel, which replaces the analogue instruments with digital options on the screen instead.

There are USB ports for all five seats in the car, two of which are in the central cubby box. And there are also further 12v charging points in the front, the centre console, and even the boot. Using a USB in the central cubby, you can easily connect your phone to the Meridian sound system which itself has an 825W surround option.

There are also all the usual smart-driving technologies like Blind Spot Assist, Autonomous Emergency Braking, and Adaptive Cruise Control (plus Queue Assist).

One of the cooler features (pending cybersecurity concerns) is the ability to lock your car remotely using your smartphone or smartwatch. Alternatively, you can buy a waterproof band from Jaguar that also lets you lock and unlock the car remotely, so you can store your valuables inside for a fun day of surfing or any other watersports loaded 30-somethings get up to on a weekend.

Adding to the practicality is a boot that can accommodate a folded buggy or six carry-on suitcases, thanks to its square shape and 484-litre capacity. By comparison, the Q3 has 420 litres of space and the GLA 481 litres. And while the X1 provides 505 litres, the E-Pace can have additional space beneath its boot floor if you dont specify a spare wheel.

It is a little disappointing that the rear seats split-fold 60/40 rather than 40/20/40 and that they dont slide to let you change the balance between rear leg room and boot space. But you can get a tailgate that opens and closes when you swipe your foot beneath the rear bumper handy when your hands are full.

The E-Pace also has a lot more in-car storage than Jaguar has traditionally provided. Indeed, the storage cubbyhole between the front seats is big enough for multiple iPads.

Jaguar E-Pace equipment

Buyers can choose from S, SE and HSE specifications, but no E-Pace is poorly equipped; the list of standard kit includes a rear-view camera, a driver drowsiness monitor and automatic emergency braking.

To this you can add everything from an 825W Meridian sound system to a waterproof and shockproof activity key, which takes the form of a wristband for times when carrying a conventional key is inconvenient.

In addition, all three trim levels can be combined with an R-Dynamics pack, which brings body-hugging sports seats, gearshift paddles behind the steering wheel and a gloss black finish for the front grille, rear lower bumper and tailpipe surrounds.

Next year, the E-Pace will be followed into showrooms bythe electric I-Pace SUV, which Jaguar showed in concept form at the 2016 Los Angeles motor show, and then a larger model is expected in 2020.

However, its the E-Pace that will remain the most affordable Jaguar SUV, and consequently its by far the most significant.

Check out some more images of the car below:

12/29/2018 | | Permalink