IT’S bold and muscular, inspired by Jaguar’s ultimate performance car – the F-Type, and based on a concept called the C-X17, which was unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show.
But today, the new Jaguar F-Pace is a reality, with the covers lifted off the performance crossover designed and engineered to offer agility, responsiveness and refinement, together with unrivalled dynamics and everyday versatility.
Developed using Jaguar’s Lightweight Aluminium Architecture, the company’s first ever SUV combines purity of line, surface and proportion with powerful rear haunches, fender vents and distinctive tail light graphics.
The bold front grille and the muscular bonnet hint at the performance potential of engines like the 280kW supercharged V6. Elements such as slender full-LED headlights, forged 22-inch wheels and short front overhang carry the design vision of the C-X17 concept through to production.
The F-Pace seats five occupants in absolute comfort. The interior features luxuries such as heated, electrically-reclining rear seats, and cutting-edge technologies including the InControl Touch Pro infotainment system and 12.3-inch HD virtual instrument cluster.
The Lightweight Aluminium Architecture gave the design and engineering teams the ideal starting point. It was created from the outset as a modular structure, so the wheels can be positioned exactly where they are needed to deliver the proportions, dynamics, and practicality essential for a performance crossover.
Rear knee-room is class-leading and the luggage compartment volume is 650-litres.
The light, stiff body structure comprises 80 per cent aluminium, and is the only aluminium-intensive monocoque in the segment. Additional weight savings come from the composite tailgate and magnesium for parts such as the cross-car beam.
The range includes four models – the Prestige, Portfolio, Sport and S, with a special First Edition available as part of the initial production run.
A range of power trains will be available, including a 132kW 2.0-litre diesel automatic AWD; 220kW 3.0-litre diesel automatic AWD; 250kW and 280kW 3.0-litre petrol automatic AWD.
With the 280kW supercharged V6 petrol engine, the F-Pace can accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 5.5 seconds before reaching an electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h.
For the most enthusiastic drivers there’s Configurable Dynamics: first used in the F-Type, allowing individual settings for the throttle, automatic transmission, steering, and, where fitted, the Adaptive Dynamics system.
Built with a torque on-demand all-wheel drive (AWD) system and Intelligent Drive-line Dynamics (IDD), the F-Pace can preserve rear-wheel drive agility and handling character but can seamlessly transfer torque to the front wheels to exploit the performance benefits of extra traction, on all surfaces and in all weathers.
Safety has also been at the forefront of design for the new F-Pace, with a state-of-the-art stereo camera at the heart of the Autonomous Emergency Braking system, with pedestrian detection, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist, an Intelligent Speed Limiter, and Driver Condition Monitor systems.
Key information such as vehicle speed and speed limits can be projected directly into the driver’s line of sight by the laser head-up display. The high contrast colour images can also show cruise control settings and turn-by-turn navigation instructions.
In a first for Jaguar, a waterproof, shockproof wristband with an integrated transponder known as Activity Key can be used to access the vehicle without a traditional key.
Pricing for the F-Pace and an Australian release schedule will be available soon.
