A lot has changed in two years, and we're not even talking about politics. In 2016, Jaguar was on the eve of delivering its first SUV, much to the chagrin of a buyer base used to the British marque's sporty luxury sedans and coupes. But the Jaguar F-Pace was able to translate the brand's driver-centric feel to a performance-oriented crossover, and the critics fell silent. After the successful release of the smaller, more affordable E-Pace crossover last year, Jaguar set its sights on the future. The result is the 2019 Jaguar I-Pace: a sharp-looking crossover powered by electricity. Purists, get frothing.
On the outside, the I-Pace looks nearly identical to the concept version that debuted at the LA Auto Show in 2016. The angular sheet metal, exaggerated haunches, black side blade, and guillotine-chopped rear end immediately set it apart from the rest of the Jaguar lineup. It's closer in size to the F-Pace than the compact E-Pace, though it's slightly shorter and lower than the F-Pace. The cabin is about the same, too, but the I-Pace's offers a bit more headroom but slightly less legroom.
The futuristic cabin shares design elements with the rest of the Jaguar lineup and the initial concept vehicle. Front and center are two touchscreens (10-inch upper, 5-inch lower) that control the car's audio, climate and entertainment functions. The user interface — called InControl Touch Pro Duo — is the first time this system will be used on a Jaguar. (It debuted on the Land Rover Range Rover Velar.) In that car, we found it attractive and quick to respond to user inputs, and we expect the same in the I-Pace.
Under the floorboard, the I-Pace packs a 90-kWh battery that feeds two electric motors (one front, one rear) to provide power to all four wheels. Total system power stands at 394 horsepower and 512 pound-feet of torque, split evenly between the two electric motors. Acceleration promises to be properly quick, with Jaguar claiming a 0-60 mph sprint time of 4.5 seconds. That's slightly faster than the Tesla Model X's 75D and 100D trims, though the Jag doesn't pack the wallop of the mighty P100D.
The I-Pace's range is also competitive, standing at an estimated 240 miles, about the same as the 75D's. As with all electric vehicles, charging time varies greatly depending on the power supply and the power level of the battery when it's plugged in. The quickest option is via a 100-kW DC fast charger — with the I-Pace's reserves nearly empty, the battery can charge to 80 percent in just 40 minutes. Plugging in at home using an installed Level 2 charger accomplishes the 0-80 percent fill-up in about 10 hours. A full charge from 0 to 100 percent on a home charging system should take just under 13 hours.
Four trims will be available at launch: the S, the SE, the HSE and the 2019-only First Edition. Standard features include LED headlights, 18-inch wheels, faux leather seating surfaces, an air suspension, a panoramic sunroof, lane departure intervention, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking. Extras available on higher trims include 22-inch wheels, adaptive suspension dampers, a wool-and-suede upholstery blend, a head-up display, a 360-degree camera, and an automated parallel and perpendicular parking system.
We're excited to test Jaguar's newest, cutting-edge SUV when it goes on sale in the second half of this year. Look for an announcement about U.S. pricing next week at the Geneva auto show.