So far the smallest of SUV from Jaguar family was unveiled globally without much of company’s feats and exploits. The new model is the Mercedes-Benz GLA and Audi Q3 which Jaguar has been in the process of preparing for a long time. It keeps up with the design viewpoint started with the F-Pace last year. With the unveiling of Jaguar E-Pace, the company has entered to the Guinness Book of World records for the furthest barrel roll in a production vehicle. E-Pace is going in the same route of F-Pace and the SUV model comes with a sports gene attracting people who are driving fanatics as well as SUV lovers. Jaguar E-Pace is the first Jaguar after the X-Type which comes with a front wheel drive and is also the first model to be designed outside the United Kingdom. The model is built at the Magna Steyr’s plant in Austria and the company like to call this model its little cub. E-Pace borrows the fundamentals from its much larger offering in the company’s array of vehicles. The model is highly influenced by the F-Type and F-Pace models.
The front of E-Pace is typically similar to the F-Type and it is a conscious attempt by the company to give it a similar appeal. The design provides a more sports car feel at the same time bringing in the SUV practicality like LED headlamps motivated by the F-Pace. The rear part of the car is also influenced by the F-Type with LED tail lights and only difference is that it carries a new chicane graphic design. The flared rear wheel arch makes a distinguishing cut on the SUV. The length of the vehicle is 4.4 metres and the cabin inside is familiar but with innovative appeal. Tall passengers can comfortably sit inside the E-Pace cabin and tall seating position helps the case. The dashboard looks more revolutionary and there is a central 10.2 inch touchscreen for the infotainment system as in all models and the customer can also opt for the 12.3 inch TFT digital instrument console and Heads Up display. The model has the Jaguar Incontrol Pro suite of apps and the Apple Carplay and Android Auto will be offered soon. The model has a sport stick shifter in place of the Jaguar’s rising rotary gear selector. Jaguar E-Pace will get up to five USB points for charging and also a 4G wifi hotspot which can support up to eight devices. The boot capacity is 577 litres and the rear seats are foldable. The 2018 model Jaguar E-Pace will be using the 2-litre Ingenium family featuring manual or the 9-speed automatic transmissions. Power ranges between 148 bhp, 177 bhp and 237 bhp on the diesels, while the petrol turbo engines will bring out 247 bhp and 297 bhp of power and the 297 bhp petrol is capable of hitting 0-100 kmph in 5.9 seconds. The chassis is actually shared with the Range Rover Evoque and the Land Rover Discovery Sport, but it has been modified for a longer wheelbase at 268 mm. Configurable Dynamics technology is offered for customising throttle, steering and transmission setting and there will also be Active Driveline and Torque Vectoring for rear-wheel drive feel. The model is offered both in front and all wheel options and vehicle will hit the Indian market in 2018.
