The production version of the new Jaguar I-Pace has been caught by a camera near JLR’s Coventry headquarters, and it is the same vehicle as the one seen in the official image released after the Geneva Motor Show by the British company.
Basic Information
Based on the spy shots and an official photo, the new I-Pace will have almost all of the key features carried over from the concept. For example, there are a shelf-shaped tailgate, slim glass line and narrow headlights. As you know, the Photon Red I-Pace Concept was displayed at Geneva in March, and it confirmed that 350 deposits for the I-Pace had been placed since its debut at the 2016 LA Motor Show.
The starting price of the new I-Pace electric SUV will be around £60,000, which is about 10-15% more expensive than the F-Pace model. Once it goes out, this model will directly go against Tesla Model X and despite the exact launch date is unknown, it is expected to hit the market in 2018. Jaguar writes a new chapter in their books since this is the first electric vehicle that will roll out of their plants.
The goal of the company was initially to “create a performance SUV that is spacious, sporty and usable,” but instead of that, we have a vehicle that exploits the packaging advantages of an EV. That is not all as it combines a four-door body style with solid amount of interior space and performance which are as good as the one of the Jaguar F-Type R.
Platform, Electric Motors and Everything That Goes With It
The new I-Pace is based on the new, bespoke battery-electric vehicle platform designed by Jaguar and this architecture is mostly made of aluminum. Two electric motors will be implemented, one for each axle, and they will be paired with a single-speed epicyclic transmission. The torque distribution between the two axles is rapid, while the powertrain support AWD configuration. The complete output of the I-Pace is 395 bhp and 516 lb-ft of torque allowing it to reach 60 mph from a standstill in 4.0 seconds.
The company’s vehicle line director Ian Hoban says: “Electric motors provide immediate response with no lag, no gearshifts and no interruptions. Their superior torque delivery compared to internal combustion engines transforms the driving experience.”
When fully charged, the new Jaguar EV can go for about 310 miles, which is the car’s maximum range. You can replenish the battery to 80% in an hour and a half or to 100% in slightly over two hours with a 50kW direct current (DC) charging port. The Jaguar I-Pace is made to accept higher power charging than 50kW DC, so it is ready once such charging points become common across the country.
In order to achieve the compactness and efficiency they wanted, the engineers developed the motors in-house, and the diameter of these motors is 234mm, while they are 50mm long and 38 kg heavy. Even though Tesla uses induction motors, Jaguar opted for permanent magnet motors because they are lighter and more efficient. The power comes from a 90kWh battery pack which uses 36 pouch cells that operate at a lower heat which means that they can run longer than cylindrical ones.
The pack is liquid-cooled with a two-mode cooling circuit. In moderate temperatures, the efficiency of the battery is enhanced because a radiator removes the heat that comes from the cells, while during scorching temperatures, a chiller is connected to the main air conditioning system that keeps the battery in optimum condition.
The I-Pace concept is equipped with the double wishbone front suspension and integral link rear suspension that can be seen in the F-Pace as well. The center of gravity has been lowered and yaw inertia reduced by packing the battery low between the axles, whereas the weight distribution is almost 50/50. The concept sits on the 23-inch alloy wheels and bespoke 265/35 R23 tires. Mike Cross, JLR’s chief engineer of vehicle integrity says: “It’s a true Jaguar. This will be the first electric vehicle developed for enthusiasts who love driving.”
Jaguar’s famous traction technologies such as All Surface Progress Control (ASPC) and Adaptive Surface Response (AdSR) are included whereas the levels of regenerative braking force have been adjusted.
Exterior and Size
Because there is no an internal combustion engine, the designers could play with proportions of the new car. The new electric vehicle has to appeal to the US customers primarily and in the meantime, abide by strict emission regulations. However, the Jaguar I-Pace is slightly unconventional SUV which took some cues from the C-X75 supercar and it features a cab-forward design. With its 4680mm long, 1890mm wide and 1560mm tall body, the I-Pace is significantly smaller than the F-Pace. However, the wheelbase of the electric model is 2990mm while the F-Pace’s is 2874mm.
The door handles slide out when activated, whereas the side skirts are more efficient in channeling the air. The front grille of the I-Pace bends to direct air through a scoop that looks like the one on the C-X75 and thus reduces drag. A slender fixed spoiler is located at the rear end of the roof to reduce lift at higher speeds, whereas a hydrophobic glass coating is positioned on the sloping rear window. The squared-off rear end improves aerodynamics together with flared haunches, whereas vents, which are in the place of the exhaust pipes, help channel turbulent air from the rear wheel arches to the rear of the car.
Jaguar I-Pace Interior
According to Jaguar, the concept’s cabin is a “clear statement of plans for the production version” and the design philosophy is clearly seen in some of the elements. There is a new minimalist cockpit design while because of the flat floor, the passengers sit lower than in any traditional SUV. Due to the slimline seats, the hips of the occupants are lower in relation to their heels, and this is what Jaguar calls “Sports Command” driving position. There is a floating center console, but the transmission tunnel and a gear selector are absent. You can select gears with buttons implemented into the center console’s metal struts.
An eight-liter storage area is located between the front seats, while the car sports 530 liters of trunk space with the addition of 28 liters of storage under the hood. There is enough room for the passengers in the back of the I-Pace than in some luxury saloon models with 71mm of knee-room. The full-length panoramic glass roof is illuminated at night via numerous LED lights, and this is a beautiful sight.
The primary screen in the cabin is a 12-inch TFT while the infotainment and climate functions are incorporated into a secondary 5.5-inch display controlled by two rotary knobs. The cockpit sports a new three-spoke steering wheel with multi-function switches, whereas the infotainment system is built upon the same tech that powers the InControl Touch Pro system in some current models. Other goodies you can find inside the Jaguar I-Pace are a wi-fi hotspot and InControl Apps which will allow you to use the apps from your smartphone or tablet.
