Special OfferSpecial Offer
Vehicle Information
Jaguar makes a full-electric vehicle - and a very good one. Jonathan Crouch drives the I-PACE.
Jaguar was one of first of the premium brand manufacturers to make a long range, practical, battery-powered electric vehicle. If you can afford the £70,000 asking price, you might well have everything you could want here: a near-300 mile driving range, 395bhp, potentially zero emissions and a car that might be as comfortable taking to a racetrack as to a gravelly ravine. Welcome to the I-PACE.
It seems to have taken the posh car makers a long time to have got their heads round the concept of full-electric power. Yes, they've dabbled with plug-in hybrids and shown futuristic concepts at motor shows but in terms of products customers can actually buy, the Tesla Model S has had the full-EV premium market for large cars to itself for well over half a decade. But stand by Elon Musk: things are about to get a whole lot tougher. This Jaguar I-PACE delivers a Tesla-style 300-mile drive range but, thanks to proper 50/50 weight distribution and Jaguar know how, handling dynamics that owners of a Model S or a Model 3 could only dream of. Technology people can create an electric car. But only car people can make one like the I-PACE.
We've enjoyed putting this I-PACE to the test; the prospects certainly are promising. The stuff you need to know here's quite straightforward - by electric vehicle standards anyway. The 90kWh lithium-ion battery pack lies between the axles and Jaguar has specified two electric motors so that it could position the wheels for a perfect 50/50 weight distribution. They're powerful too, giving this 'performance' EV a 395bhp output. Rest to 60mph takes just 4.5s. Drive like that though and the claimed operating range (up to 286 miles with base trim) will be used up pretty quickly. You'd expect silent refinement and instant acceleration from rest from an electric car but, due to the heavy weight of all those batteries, less than stellar ride quality. Jaguar claims it's put a lot of work into that and offers I-PACE buyers a wide choice of suspension options. You can have passive or adaptive dampers or air springs with adaptive damping. An electric 4WD system is standard - one of those that can put as much or as little torque as is necessary to any wheel. If you were ever brave enough to try your I-PACE off road, you might be surprised at what it could do. Jaguar claims it would wade up to 500mm of water.
In theory, the I-PACE is a kind of SUV. But you might equally want to see it as a coupe, a luxury saloon or even some kind of sportscar. Designer Ian Callum isn't bothered either way. At 4,682mm in length, this model is 10mm longer than Jaguar's XE; it's bigger than the larger XF saloon too, with a 30mm longer wheelbase and 15mm of extra width. There's more of a cab-forward stance than you'd get in a conventionally-engined Jaguar but the silhouette looks very agile in profile. And it retains a traditional big grille, even though the three independent cooling systems (for the electric motors, the battery and the interior) don't really need it. Inside, the cabin's very Jaguar-like, with big comfortable seats that come with faux-leather as standard and real hide at extra cost. You can even have wood trim if you want it. Ahead of the driver sits an all-digital instrument binnacle and the centre-dash infotainment layout is bespoke to the I-PACE too. As in the Range Rover Velar, it's a two-screen package, the upper part dealing with navigation, audio and 'phone functions and the lower part operating informational stuff you'll need less frequently. It's a comfortable five-seater and there's a decent 656-litre boot, with a further 27-litre compartment out-front.
The I-PACE comes in one 'EV400' package with a 90kWh battery and a 395bhp all-wheel drive powertrain. There are four standard 'R-Dynamic' trim levels - 'S', 'SE Black', HSE Black' and '400 Sport'. Prices start at around £70,000 and range up to around £80,000. Equipment levels are as generous as you would expect for the money being asked and now include the Amazon Alexa system built in. Even the entry-level 'S' variant comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, full-LED headlights, sports seats, a Meridian sound system, a 'Navigation Pro' infotainment set-up, a rear parking camera, cruise control and heated door mirrors. 'SE' models add leather seats, a powered tailgate and power-folding mirrors. The 'HSE' gets a Meridian Surround Sound audio system, 20-inch wheels, Matrix-LED headlights, super-soft 'Windsor' leather upholstery and a 'Driver Assist' pack including adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree parking camera. The 'First Edition' version embellishes all that with a panoramic roof, a heated windscreen and Jaguar's ADAPTIVE Dynamics and Adaptive Surface Response driving modes, plus active air suspension. Inside, there's four-zone climate control, heated and cooled seats and a head-up display.
Jaguar claims this car has a range of up to 286 miles (base trim) and that it can be charged to around 80% of capacity in less than 45 minutes; that's at a DC rapid charging point. At a public 50kW charging point, it would take 90 minutes to charge an I-PACE to 80% of its capacity. As an owner, you'll need to install a wallbox in your garage so you can charge the car overnight; a typical domestic wall outlet would take more than two days to charge the car from empty. I-PACE owners can easily find public charging points using connected navigation features built into the I-PACE's 'InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system'. As usual with EVs, Jaguar provides an app so that you can set charging times on your 'phone, so as to take advantage of low-cost electricity rates. What else? You get the usual unremarkable three year Jaguar warranty, though to be fair it does cover you for up to 100,000 miles. Should anything go wrong, Europe-wide breakdown assistance is part of the deal for three years.
Would you want one? Perhaps a better question is 'why wouldn't you want one?' To which we'll provide some obvious answers. Firstly, clearly there's the premium pricing to consider. And secondly, despite the great job Jaguar's engineers have clearly done with the handling dynamics of this car, there's no way an EV weighing around 2.2-tonnes can respond and ride quite like a conventionally-engined fossil-fuelled rival. But all the signs are that this one gets very close to that benchmark. If you've been waiting for luxury EVs to get serious, your time may have come here. In the future, there will certainly be better battery-powered electric vehicles than the I-PACE, but we don't think that there are right at present. And we think that in future, experts will look back at this car as the one that made the EV concept properly credible for the premium buyer. Which makes it very significant indeed.
Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty:70
Battery Capacity in kWh:90
Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins):765
Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change:0-100
Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW:7
Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins):603
Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change:0-80
Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW:7
Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins):447
Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change:0-80
Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW:11
Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Charge Time (Mins):85
Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change:0-80
Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW:50
Battery Leased:No
Battery Type:Lithium-ion
Charging Port Location:Left Side Front
Coupler/Connector Type:CCS Type 2
Maximum Charging Rate - kW:50
Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage:100000
Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years:8
Usable Battery Capacity:84.7
WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEH:25.2
WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEL:22
WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEH:2.5
WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEL:2.8
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb:444
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb - TEH:408
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb - TEL:470
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Extra High - TEH:320
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Extra High - TEL:361
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - High - TEH:445
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - High - TEL:518
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Low - TEH:533
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Low - TEL:618
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Medium - TEH:503
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Medium - TEL:604
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb:276
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb - TEH:254
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb - TEL:292
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Ex High - TEH:199
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Ex High - TEL:224
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - High - TEH:277
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - High - TEL:322
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Low - TEH:331
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Low - TEL:384
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Medium - TEH:313
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Medium - TEL:375
CO:Not Available
CO2 (g/km):Data Not Available
HC:Not Available
HC+NOx:Not Available
Noise Level dB(A):67
NOx:Not Available
Particles:Not Available
Standard Euro Emissions:Not Available
Camshaft:Not Available
Catalytic Convertor:Not Available
CC:1
Compression Ratio:Not Available
Cylinder Layout:Not Available
Cylinders:Not Available
Cylinders - Bore (mm):Not Available
Cylinders - Stroke (mm):Not Available
Engine Code:Not Available
Fuel Delivery:Not Available
Gears:1 SPEED
Number of Valves:Not Available
Transmission:AUTO
EC Combined (mpg):Not Available
EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies:Not Available
EC Extra Urban (mpg):Not Available
EC Urban (mpg):Not Available
Alternative Fuel Qualifying:Yes
Badge Engine CC:0.0
Badge Power:400
Based On ID:Not Available
Coin Description:90kWh EV400
Coin Series:R-Dynamic HSE Black
Generation Mark:1
Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07:50E
NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %:Not Available
NCAP Child Occupant Protection %:Not Available
NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09:Not Available
NCAP Pedestrian Protection %:Not Available
NCAP Safety Assist %:Not Available
Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?:No
Service Interval Frequency - Months:24
Service Interval Mileage:21000
Special Edition:No
Special Order:No
Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage:Unlimited
Standard manufacturers warranty - Years:3
Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months:Not Available
Timing Belt Interval Mileage:Not Available
Vehicle Homologation Class:M1
0 to 62 mph (secs):4.8
Engine Power - BHP:400
Engine Power - KW:294
Engine Power - RPM:4250
Engine Torque - LBS.FT:513
Engine Torque - MKG:71
Engine Torque - NM:696
Top Speed:124
Emissions Test Cycle:WLTP
RDE Certification Level:N/A
Alloys?:Yes
Space Saver?:No
Tyre Size Front:245/50 R20
Tyre Size Rear:245/50 R20
Tyre Size Spare:Not Available
Wheel Style:5 SPOKE STYLE 5068
Wheel Type:20" ALLOY
Height:1566
Height (including roof rails):Not Available
Length:4682
Wheelbase:2990
Width:2011
Width (including mirrors):2139
Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres):Not Available
Gross Vehicle Weight:2670
Luggage Capacity (Seats Down):1363
Luggage Capacity (Seats Up):505
Max. Loading Weight:537
Max. Roof Load:75
Minimum Kerbweight:2133
No. of Seats:5
Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb:12.35
Jaguar makes a full-electric vehicle - and a very good one. Jonathan Crouch drives the I-PACE.
Jaguar was one of first of the premium brand manufacturers to make a long range, practical, battery-powered electric vehicle. If you can afford the £70,000 asking price, you might well have everything you could want here: a near-300 mile driving range, 395bhp, potentially zero emissions and a car that might be as comfortable taking to a racetrack as to a gravelly ravine. Welcome to the I-PACE.
It seems to have taken the posh car makers a long time to have got their heads round the concept of full-electric power. Yes, they've dabbled with plug-in hybrids and shown futuristic concepts at motor shows but in terms of products customers can actually buy, the Tesla Model S has had the full-EV premium market for large cars to itself for well over half a decade. But stand by Elon Musk: things are about to get a whole lot tougher. This Jaguar I-PACE delivers a Tesla-style 300-mile drive range but, thanks to proper 50/50 weight distribution and Jaguar know how, handling dynamics that owners of a Model S or a Model 3 could only dream of. Technology people can create an electric car. But only car people can make one like the I-PACE.
We've enjoyed putting this I-PACE to the test; the prospects certainly are promising. The stuff you need to know here's quite straightforward - by electric vehicle standards anyway. The 90kWh lithium-ion battery pack lies between the axles and Jaguar has specified two electric motors so that it could position the wheels for a perfect 50/50 weight distribution. They're powerful too, giving this 'performance' EV a 395bhp output. Rest to 60mph takes just 4.5s. Drive like that though and the claimed operating range (up to 286 miles with base trim) will be used up pretty quickly. You'd expect silent refinement and instant acceleration from rest from an electric car but, due to the heavy weight of all those batteries, less than stellar ride quality. Jaguar claims it's put a lot of work into that and offers I-PACE buyers a wide choice of suspension options. You can have passive or adaptive dampers or air springs with adaptive damping. An electric 4WD system is standard - one of those that can put as much or as little torque as is necessary to any wheel. If you were ever brave enough to try your I-PACE off road, you might be surprised at what it could do. Jaguar claims it would wade up to 500mm of water.
In theory, the I-PACE is a kind of SUV. But you might equally want to see it as a coupe, a luxury saloon or even some kind of sportscar. Designer Ian Callum isn't bothered either way. At 4,682mm in length, this model is 10mm longer than Jaguar's XE; it's bigger than the larger XF saloon too, with a 30mm longer wheelbase and 15mm of extra width. There's more of a cab-forward stance than you'd get in a conventionally-engined Jaguar but the silhouette looks very agile in profile. And it retains a traditional big grille, even though the three independent cooling systems (for the electric motors, the battery and the interior) don't really need it. Inside, the cabin's very Jaguar-like, with big comfortable seats that come with faux-leather as standard and real hide at extra cost. You can even have wood trim if you want it. Ahead of the driver sits an all-digital instrument binnacle and the centre-dash infotainment layout is bespoke to the I-PACE too. As in the Range Rover Velar, it's a two-screen package, the upper part dealing with navigation, audio and 'phone functions and the lower part operating informational stuff you'll need less frequently. It's a comfortable five-seater and there's a decent 656-litre boot, with a further 27-litre compartment out-front.
The I-PACE comes in one 'EV400' package with a 90kWh battery and a 395bhp all-wheel drive powertrain. There are four standard 'R-Dynamic' trim levels - 'S', 'SE Black', HSE Black' and '400 Sport'. Prices start at around £70,000 and range up to around £80,000. Equipment levels are as generous as you would expect for the money being asked and now include the Amazon Alexa system built in. Even the entry-level 'S' variant comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, full-LED headlights, sports seats, a Meridian sound system, a 'Navigation Pro' infotainment set-up, a rear parking camera, cruise control and heated door mirrors. 'SE' models add leather seats, a powered tailgate and power-folding mirrors. The 'HSE' gets a Meridian Surround Sound audio system, 20-inch wheels, Matrix-LED headlights, super-soft 'Windsor' leather upholstery and a 'Driver Assist' pack including adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree parking camera. The 'First Edition' version embellishes all that with a panoramic roof, a heated windscreen and Jaguar's ADAPTIVE Dynamics and Adaptive Surface Response driving modes, plus active air suspension. Inside, there's four-zone climate control, heated and cooled seats and a head-up display.
Jaguar claims this car has a range of up to 286 miles (base trim) and that it can be charged to around 80% of capacity in less than 45 minutes; that's at a DC rapid charging point. At a public 50kW charging point, it would take 90 minutes to charge an I-PACE to 80% of its capacity. As an owner, you'll need to install a wallbox in your garage so you can charge the car overnight; a typical domestic wall outlet would take more than two days to charge the car from empty. I-PACE owners can easily find public charging points using connected navigation features built into the I-PACE's 'InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system'. As usual with EVs, Jaguar provides an app so that you can set charging times on your 'phone, so as to take advantage of low-cost electricity rates. What else? You get the usual unremarkable three year Jaguar warranty, though to be fair it does cover you for up to 100,000 miles. Should anything go wrong, Europe-wide breakdown assistance is part of the deal for three years.
Would you want one? Perhaps a better question is 'why wouldn't you want one?' To which we'll provide some obvious answers. Firstly, clearly there's the premium pricing to consider. And secondly, despite the great job Jaguar's engineers have clearly done with the handling dynamics of this car, there's no way an EV weighing around 2.2-tonnes can respond and ride quite like a conventionally-engined fossil-fuelled rival. But all the signs are that this one gets very close to that benchmark. If you've been waiting for luxury EVs to get serious, your time may have come here. In the future, there will certainly be better battery-powered electric vehicles than the I-PACE, but we don't think that there are right at present. And we think that in future, experts will look back at this car as the one that made the EV concept properly credible for the premium buyer. Which makes it very significant indeed.
Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty:70
Battery Capacity in kWh:90
Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins):765
Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change:0-100
Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW:7
Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins):603
Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change:0-80
Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW:7
Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins):447
Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change:0-80
Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW:11
Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Charge Time (Mins):85
Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change:0-80
Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW:50
Battery Leased:No
Battery Type:Lithium-ion
Charging Port Location:Left Side Front
Coupler/Connector Type:CCS Type 2
Maximum Charging Rate - kW:50
Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage:100000
Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years:8
Usable Battery Capacity:84.7
WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEH:25.2
WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEL:22
WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEH:2.5
WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEL:2.8
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb:444
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb - TEH:408
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb - TEL:470
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Extra High - TEH:320
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Extra High - TEL:361
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - High - TEH:445
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - High - TEL:518
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Low - TEH:533
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Low - TEL:618
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Medium - TEH:503
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Medium - TEL:604
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb:276
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb - TEH:254
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb - TEL:292
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Ex High - TEH:199
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Ex High - TEL:224
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - High - TEH:277
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - High - TEL:322
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Low - TEH:331
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Low - TEL:384
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Medium - TEH:313
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Medium - TEL:375
CO:Not Available
CO2 (g/km):Data Not Available
HC:Not Available
HC+NOx:Not Available
Noise Level dB(A):67
NOx:Not Available
Particles:Not Available
Standard Euro Emissions:Not Available
Camshaft:Not Available
Catalytic Convertor:Not Available
CC:1
Compression Ratio:Not Available
Cylinder Layout:Not Available
Cylinders:Not Available
Cylinders - Bore (mm):Not Available
Cylinders - Stroke (mm):Not Available
Engine Code:Not Available
Fuel Delivery:Not Available
Gears:1 SPEED
Number of Valves:Not Available
Transmission:AUTO
EC Combined (mpg):Not Available
EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies:Not Available
EC Extra Urban (mpg):Not Available
EC Urban (mpg):Not Available
Alternative Fuel Qualifying:Yes
Badge Engine CC:0.0
Badge Power:400
Based On ID:Not Available
Coin Description:90kWh EV400
Coin Series:R-Dynamic HSE Black
Generation Mark:1
Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07:50E
NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %:Not Available
NCAP Child Occupant Protection %:Not Available
NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09:Not Available
NCAP Pedestrian Protection %:Not Available
NCAP Safety Assist %:Not Available
Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?:No
Service Interval Frequency - Months:24
Service Interval Mileage:21000
Special Edition:No
Special Order:No
Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage:Unlimited
Standard manufacturers warranty - Years:3
Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months:Not Available
Timing Belt Interval Mileage:Not Available
Vehicle Homologation Class:M1
0 to 62 mph (secs):4.8
Engine Power - BHP:400
Engine Power - KW:294
Engine Power - RPM:4250
Engine Torque - LBS.FT:513
Engine Torque - MKG:71
Engine Torque - NM:696
Top Speed:124
Emissions Test Cycle:WLTP
RDE Certification Level:N/A
Alloys?:Yes
Space Saver?:No
Tyre Size Front:245/50 R20
Tyre Size Rear:245/50 R20
Tyre Size Spare:Not Available
Wheel Style:5 SPOKE STYLE 5068
Wheel Type:20" ALLOY
Height:1566
Height (including roof rails):Not Available
Length:4682
Wheelbase:2990
Width:2011
Width (including mirrors):2139
Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres):Not Available
Gross Vehicle Weight:2670
Luggage Capacity (Seats Down):1363
Luggage Capacity (Seats Up):505
Max. Loading Weight:537
Max. Roof Load:75
Minimum Kerbweight:2133
No. of Seats:5
Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb:12.35
294kW EV400 R-Dynamic HSE Black 90kWh 5dr Auto
*Model Shown is for illustration purposes only.
