Automotive

Gorgeous I-Pace Concept thrusts Jaguar into electric future

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Will the I-Pace throw a big cat among the pigeons when it launches in 2018?
The 90 kWh battery in the Jaguar I-Pace is good for 500 km of range
The Jaguar I-Pace will be on the market in 2018
Flat battery packs like the one in the Jaguar I-Pace free up lots of interior space
Under the skin of the Jaguar I-Pace 
The Jaguar I-Pace is a much more handsome take on the electric four-wheel drive than the Tesla Model X
The Jaguar I-Pace is pretty, but there's also plenty of space in the cabin
The I-Pace is unmistakably Jaguar, but it is also unique compared to the rest of the range
The electric motors in the Jaguar I-Pace will shoot it to 100 km/h in just over four seconds
The face of the Jaguar I-Pace
The Jaguar I-Pace will make its debut at the LA Motor Show
Ian Callum, who has designed Jaguar out of its slump, is responsible for the I-Pace
The Jaguar I-Pace will soon be joined by many more all-electric models in the Jaguar stable
Jaguar Land Rover
The rear of the Jaguar I-Pace is part hatchback, part SUV
Will the I-Pace throw a big cat among the pigeons when it launches in 2018?
The I-Pace might be a concept, but it'll be in production from 2018
The I-Pace runs with an integral link rear suspension
The I-Pace certainly looks good, but Jag says it can back the face up with its handling
The cabin is touchscreen heavy in the Jaguar I-Pace 
Jaguar has tried to improve its interior materials and design with the I-Pace
Under the skin of the Jaguar I-Pace 
Details on the Jaguar I-Pace exterior
Details on the Jaguar I-Pace exterior
Details on the Jaguar I-Pace exterior
Details on the Jaguar I-Pace exterior
Details on the Jaguar I-Pace exterior
Details on the Jaguar I-Pace exterior
Details on the Jaguar I-Pace exterior
Details on the Jaguar I-Pace exterior
Details on the Jaguar I-Pace exterior
The cabin of the Jaguar I-Pace is a much nicer place to sit than current big cat cabins 
A glovebox should be for gloves - at least, that's what Jaguar thinks
Details on the cabin of the Jaguar I-Pace
The clever suspension setup on the Jaguar I-Pace should help it sit flat in the corners
Jaguar breaks down the details on the I-Pace SUV
Jaguar breaks down the details on the I-Pace SUV
Jaguar breaks down the details on the I-Pace SUV
Jaguar breaks down the details on the I-Pace SUV
View gallery - 37 images

The 2016 Paris Motor Show will be remembered as the time big car manufacturers flicked the switch and committed to electric mobility. Mercedes and Volkswagen both unveiled their take on mainstream battery power, and Renault added a bit of spark to the mix with the Trezor. Now, Jaguar has decided to get in on the act with the I-Pace Concept.

Although it's a concept at the moment, the I-Pace is already slated for production in 2018, the same time as Audi plans to launch the E-Tron SUV and a full two years ahead of the Mercedes Generation EQ. High-riding family cars are selling like hotcakes at the moment, so it's no surprise to see the category emerge as a crucial battleground for electric cars. What is a bit surprising is just how good Jaguar has managed to make the I-Pace look.

If anyone was going to make electric four-wheel drives sexy, it was Ian Callum. He's the man responsible for the (gorgeous) F-Type, the (stunning) XJ and the (handsome) XE, and boy has he nailed the brief here. Although it doesn't have a traditional silhouette, the car just looks right in a way the Tesla Model X never does.

"I think what's really great about this car is that we didn't set ourselves any rules," says Callum. "Don't try and make it look like an F-Type or give it an E-Type boat tail because that's nice to have. Just accept the fact that this is a whole new vehicle and takes Jaguar's rules to a whole new level."

The I-Pace might be a concept, but it'll be in production from 2018

The design is very pretty, but the real thinking has gone into making it practical as well. For one, pushing the windscreen forward frees up lots of space in the cabin, allowing this midsize four-wheel drive to offer up legroom and luggage space to rival much bigger cars. According to Jaguar the shape is good for Cd (drag coefficient) of 0.29 – good for a four-wheel drive, but still chunky compared to the latest BMW 5 Series and Audi A4.

Underneath the body sits a liquid-cooled 90 kWh lithium-ion battery, which makes use of a clever thermal management system to maximize range. Scavenging outside air, using it to cool the battery and then feeding that heated air into the cabin when the driver turns the heater on, Jaguar says, could can offer a double-digit increase in range.

In all, the I-Pace should be able to cover more than 311 mi (500 km) on a single charge, putting it right beside the Generation EQ and Tesla Model X. When it's time to top up, a DC 50 kW system will provide 80 percent charge in just 90 minutes, with a full charge set to take two hours.

Under the skin of the Jaguar I-Pace 

Charging isn't the only thing the car will do quickly. With 395 hp (295 kW) of power and 700 Nm (516 lb.ft) of torque on tap, the 62 mph (100 km/h) sprint will take just over four seconds. That's slower than Ludicrous Mode-equipped Teslas, but still quick for a big family car.

Beyond the straight line performance, Jaguar has made a big deal of returning to its sporting roots with a clever integral-link suspension system. We were seriously impressed by the flat-handling XE S when we reviewed it earlier this year, and the F-Pace has won praise for the way it corners, so we're expecting big things from the I-Pace.

Interiors, though, are a point of weakness at Jaguar. Compared to the Germans, who have refined their infotainment systems and material choices to the point of near perfection, the cabins in recent big cats have felt a bit behind the curve.

The cabin is touchscreen heavy in the Jaguar I-Pace 

With a massive touchscreen, sumptuous materials and panoramic moonroof, the concept seems to put most of those issues to bed, although it will be interesting to see how much concept flair makes it to production.

As you'd imagine, there are no concrete details about the car's price or spec options. Jaguar is accepting expressions of interest at the moment. The I-Pace is on display at the Los Angeles Motor Show, where New Atlas will be on the ground covering all the action. You can hear Ian Callum explain his design in the video below.

Source: Jaguar

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6 comments
Derek Howe
Looks pretty nice. I agree, much better looking then it's competition the Tesla Model X.
RussellD
Difficult to argue with a drag coefficient of .29, but it looks like they're throwing away the potential of a lower Cd by using such a large 'grill'. Surely that is not necessary for an electric—neither for cooling nor for current (probably short-lived) styling trends.
watersworm
Hello Tesla? "You('ll) have a problem..."
BobKropp
What does it need a grill for? Sorry Tesla bashers, Elon's way ahead of the game in aesthetics - in my opinion - besides, how much do you all wish to bet these new EV's took advantage of Mr. Musk's generous offer of open patents?
Tom Lee Mullins
The platform reminds me of the 'skateboard' design that GM once had (not sure if they still have it - it was a fuel cell powered) or the one from Faraday Future (which is being developed - which is adaptable and battery powered).
Jason Catterall
It does make me think it was a bit rash of Elon to make all his electric vehicle patents open source. It's not as if Tesla has the financial clout of any of the major manufacturers.