In 2013, Jaguar showed off its SUV concept, the C-X17, at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Just two years later, at the same event, it revealed the final production version, the F-Pace, its entrant into the high-end SUV market.
This is pertinent because it illustrates that when Jaguar shows a concept, it is usually not a flight of fancy - the intent is to bring it to market. Which is why WIRED is excited about this, Jaguar's first-ever electric vehicle: a battery-powered version of the exceptional F-Pace. What's more, you can expect to see it on the road in 2018.
Looking like a Tron-ified version of the F-Pace, the I-Pace is a five-seater electric performance SUV with a predicted range of 500km+ on a single charge, meaning drivers with an average commute of 40 to 50km could, in theory, get away with only recharging it once a week. This sort of distance is Tesla territory and goes a long way to addressing the downside of electric cars: range anxiety.
Electric motors at the front and rear axles generate a combined output of 700Nm of torque. And because this is electric the torque is available instantly, translating into sports-car acceleration - 0-100kph in four seconds - as well as offering the all-weather, all-surface benefits of all-wheel drive.
Being electric also means there is no need for the I-Pace to have the traditional architecture of a standard vehicle, so no internal combustion engine or transmission tunnel need to be factored into the design. Here, the cabin is brought forward, which extends the wheelbase and shortens the overhangs. Apart from affording the car a more powerful profile, it increases inside space and improves vehicle dynamics and visibility.
Indeed, the I-Pace takes up less road space than a conventional mid-size SUV despite this extra room for passengers and luggage. And speaking of storage, the rear has a 530-litre luggage compartment, and at the front you get an additional 36 litres.
The rest of the interior is suitably forward-looking. Although still recognisably Jaguar, the marque has tried to give a feeling of space. For example, you can see the width of the entire floor because the centre console is cantilevered upwards where traditionally it would have been a solid construction.
In the absence of that transmission tunnel, Jaguar designers have used the free space to supply a surprisingly large eight-litre stowage area within the central console itself.
If you are not streaming from the on-board Wi-Fi, the main media experience is a 12-inch touchscreen with a 5.5-inch touchscreen below, set between two laser-etched aluminium rotaries with HD circular displays.
Behind the steering wheel, a configurable 12-inch HD virtual instrument cluster and full-colour head-up display mean the driver can create his or her own collection of readouts suited to changing driving conditions.
Electric Motors: Power per motor: 200PS, Torque per motor: 350Nm, Total system output: 400PS/700Nm.
Drivetrain: Motor and transmission integrated into front and rear axles; electric all-wheel drive.
Battery: 90kWh Li-ion; liquid-cooled; pouch cells. Number of modules: 36.
Dimension: Length: 4,680mm. Width: 1,890mm. Height 1,560mm. Wheelbase: 2,990mm.
**Performance and range **: 0-60mph in around four seconds.
Despite the I-Pace electric car's range, charging will always be an issue, so Jaguar has developed a system that will allow an 80 per cent charge in 90 minutes, and then on to full capacity in two hours using 50kW DC power. The liquid-cooled 90kWh lithium-ion battery pack has been designed and developed in-house, and the battery's lightweight aluminium housing forms part of the I-Pace's body structure.
Keeping a weather eye on energy efficiency, Jaguar has installed a heat pump in the climate control system, which is more efficient than conventional electric heaters. This alone has increased the I-Pace's range by up to 50km, even in freezing conditions.
The final production version of the I-Pace - and its price - will be revealed in 2017, but expect it to look remarkably similar to this concept, with deliveries taking place in 2018. There has been no word on if Jaguar is going to include any autonomous driving tech it has been developing on the I-Pace, but WIRED certainly hopes it does.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
