Widespread electric mobility is really not that far away, and with premium manufacturers trying to catch up with Tesla to get in on the act, 2018 is a very important year.
With Audi releasing the e-tron SUV later this year and Mercedes and BMW having models in the works, Jaguar is the first top-end brand to get its premiere electric model on the market.
The I-Pace comes with plenty of promise, as Jaguar hopes to dislodge the current mainstream electric SUV leader, the Tesla Model X.
We took the I-Pace for a drive in Portugal and here is why it’s one of the most exciting releases in 2018…
Is it practical?
Without the need for a combustion engine, transmission tunnel or much in the way of conventional vehicle necessities, what you get with the I-Pace is space. Although it isn’t the largest vehicle in the world, you get upwards of 650 litres of storage space, which can be increased to over 1,400 litres when you fold the rear bench down. That’s pretty impressive for a car that’s only 1.5m tall and 4.6m long, and that’s down to all the batteries being incorporated into the chassis and allowing for more interior space – which also helps the car’s centre of gravity for improved performance in cornering.
Is it packed with kit?
You betcha! The I-Pace’s interior may not be as simple and as clean cut as the Model X – as the Tesla only has a central 15-inch touchscreen for all the controls – but the I-Pace’s interior is still a very nice place to be. It comes with two touchscreens, a third screen behind the steering wheel, an optional head-up display, a Wi-Fi hotspot and an optional activity key that comes as a waterproof wristband, so the I-Pace is ready for pretty much everything. It also comes with adaptive cruise control with steering assist, emergency braking, a driver condition monitor, lane keep assist and rear camera, with further parking and drive assistance packs also available to apply.
Enquire Now on a new Jaguar I-Pace
How much range does it have?
Jaguar says that the I-Pace will do up to 298 miles on a single charge – which is much closer to what people get in internal combustion engine cars – and that means the I-Pace is much more feasible in the real world to own. Yes, the range does depend on how hard you drive, but if you tread carefully then the near 300-mile mark is easily achievable. With the sat-nav also able to calculate a route to your destination depending on your charge, the I-Pace is clever in using its 90kWh battery pack.
What’s the electric performance like?
In one word, potent. With the dual-electric motor setup producing 395bhp and 696Nm of torque almost instantaneously, the I-Pace can get from 0-60mph in 4.5 seconds – with one motor placed on each axle to allow for four-wheel drive. With a top speed of 124mph, it isn’t the fastest, but the acceleration is intoxicating enough for you to consider making the switch to electric.
Is it worth the money?
If you can stump up the £63,495 for the base S model, then we might suggest you consider the I-Pace. It drives like a normal car – without the engine and other mechanical gubbins working away – and comes with a luxury finish that you always get from Jaguar. With the electric range being much more reasonable when you consider everyday life and the amount of tech on offer, the I-Pace could very well be influential in starting the electric revolution on British roads – if only the price could come down that little bit more and there was more infrastructure, then it would be a no-brainer.
Test drive a new Jaguar I-Pace
