L.A. Auto Show 2016: Jaguar I-PACE Concept
What is it?
This is the first all-electric vehicle from the luxury carmaker, a production concept sport-utility vehicle that will become available in 2018. The production version will be unveiled late next year.
Why it matters
Jaguar is jumping into the burgeoning electric-car market with an SUV that the company says has “a supercar silhouette with sports-car driving characteristics and five-seat SUV versatility.”
The I-PACE is Jaguar’s bid to attract some of the drivers who are migrating from combustion- or hybrid-powered SUVs to ones with all-electric powertains, such as Tesla Motors’ new Model X, which costs upward of $74,000.
Jaguar also has bolstered its electric-vehicle knowledge for the I-PACE and other vehicles by competing in the Formula E all-electric car racing series.
“This isn’t just a concept,” Ian Callum, Jaguar’s director of design, said in a statement. “It is a preview of a five-seat production car that will be on the road in 2018.”
What’s new
The I-PACE features a liquid-cooled, 90-killowatt-hour battery pack that supports electric motors on the front and rear axles and gives the car a range of about 220 miles.
That setup enables the I-PACE to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in about four seconds.
Jaguar said the lack of a conventional internal-combustion engine and transmission enabled designers to bring the cabin forward, extend the wheelbase and shorten the front and rear overhangs. The result is better driver visibility and increased legroom. The SUV also features a see-through roof.
The competition
The I-PACE takes aim at Tesla’s all-electric SUV, the Model X, and there’s speculation that all-electric SUVs could be coming from Audi, Volvo and others.
The details
Jaguar has not announced pricing for the I-PACE. The car features large 23-inch wheels and flush door handles to reduce drag. The interior technology includes a Wi-Fi hotspot that allows passengers to stay connected to their devices, and occupants can use apps on their iOS and Android smartphones through the I-PACE’s main touchscreen.
