Jaguar I-Pace. Born to touch your feelings
The Jaguar I-Pace is a premium electric crossover that has been produced by Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) (UK) since 2018. You could buy the first generation of the Jaguar I-Pace crossover in Israel in 2020.
The Jaguar I-Pace is an all-wheel drive premium mid-size crossover and at the same time the first volume-production electric car in the history of the British company. The novelty has a beautiful, memorable design, great usability, as well as modern equipment. It was first unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2018.
The first all-electric crossover from Jaguar has already won many prestigious awards: International Car of the Year 2019, Automotive Design of the Year 2019, Best Green Car 2019, Best Midsize SUV 2019.
First generation
The prototype of the I-Pace was the exceptionally dynamic Jaguar CX75 electric concept car with a capacity of 905 hp presented in 2010. It was equipped with 2 electric motors with 200 hp each and a 1.6-liter internal combustion engine, similar to those used in the equipment of the Formula 1 cars. The I-Pace borrows the concept of a forward-shifted cockpit from the Jaguar CX75. Moreover, this solution is more than functional for an electric crossover, because due to this, an extra few centimeters appear for the back row.
The synchronous electric motors for the Jaguar I-Pace were developed by Jaguar and have already received 8 patents. They contain permanent magnets made of rare-earth metals, which are more expensive, but more reliable, compact, and more efficient. The total power of the motors is 400 hp, the torque is 696 Nm, with them the crossover accelerates from 0 km/h to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds. There is no sliding friction in electric motors, there is nothing to cool, and they need to be serviced very rarely, after years. Only the transmission oil should be changed. But there are also disadvantages, the I-Pace cannot be towed. More precisely, it is possible, but only a couple of hundred meters and at speeds up to 15 km h because of the lack of transmission cooling, but this issue is decided by a tow truck.
The base of the Jaguar I-Pace is an all-new platform with aluminum suspension and steel subframes front and rear for maximum rigidity. A specially reinforced frame is between them for 90 kWh batteries consisting of 432 lithium-ion cells. The body of the electric crossover, which is 94% aluminum, has received excellent aerodynamic characteristics. A functional radiator grille, a lowered roofline, a rear spoiler, door handles hidden in the body, and a special, square, shape of the stern works for the aerodynamics of the Jaguar I-Pace, which has a drag coefficient of 0.29.
Charging
The Jaguar I-Pace 2020 can be charged with the cable that comes with the car. Or you can use ordinary charging from a household network. It charges up to 100% in 40-45 hours. If it is charged with a quick charge through a dedicated WallBox or most public charging stations, it charges in 12-13 hours at a maximum of 7kW to 100%. If you charge with accelerated charging at high-power charging stations with a constant current of 100 kW, then in 40 minutes the electric crossover will recharge up to 80%. On a full battery, the I-Pace travels about 480 km under ideal conditions. In real conditions, it can travel about 380 km. Moreover, the battery management module is easily upgradeable. If a modified charging station or any other changes are released, the I-Pace will be able to quickly adapt.
The first all-electric crossover from Jaguar has already won many prestigious awards: International Car of the Year 2019, Automotive Design of the Year 2019, Best Green Car 2019, Best Midsize SUV 2019.
Outside and inside
The new Jaguar I-Pace is unlike anyone else. It does not fit the general standards. Its design, on which the chief designer of the brand Ian Callum has been working for more than one year, really came out excellent. Yang wanted to give the crossover ‘the drama and excitement of a sports car,’ as well as ‘give the crossover appropriate posture and aerodynamics.’ Both have been implemented. Despite the maximum understated position of the frame with the battery, the iPace proudly bears the name ‘crossover’: the ground clearance of 135 mm, of course, will not allow you to drive off-road, but the fordable depth is really surprising, it is 500 mm.
Externally, the Jaguar I-Pace looks surprisingly compact. However, this impression changes to the opposite in the cabin, there is roomy, especially for those who sit in the back. The cockpit extended forward gave plus 890 mm of legroom, and there is plenty of room in the shoulders. In the cabin, the space freed from the transmission tunnel is used to the maximum. There is about 10 liters of space between the driver’s and passenger’s seats, a deep compartment in the armrest, pockets, pockets, drawers under the rear seats. The layout of the interior and its execution, especially in the First Edition version, where there are sports seats, is not at all stylized as a gadget, like many other electric cars. Even those who have never driven a new Jaguar or Land Rover can understand the functionality of the large touchscreen display. And those who have driven will spend a little time exploring the new tabs regarding EV settings.
What can you select there? For example, recuperation modes. There are two of them: high, involving driving with one pedal, and low. Or regulation of the power reserve. The computer will offer several options for saving energy, depending on how much longer you need to drive without charging. Jaguar I-Pace 2020/2021 is an all-wheel drive. However, it has a wonderful thing, a system for controlling the distribution of torque between the axles, and with its help, the crossover can be easily converted into a back-wheel drive for more accurate and predictable steering and additional recuperation on the front axle.
