See how much fun we had driving Jaguar’s I-PACE EV400 in Ep. 2 of He Said, She Said 

You could say that Jaguar “flipped the script” with their first-ever electric vehicle. The Jaguar I-PACE all-electric premium luxury performance SUV breaks the mold of previous EVs in the market. This Jag is super stylish, sleek, comfortable, and packed from start to finish with all the performance punch you’d ever want or need. It didn’t hurt that our test car was emblazoned in a stunning Photon Red exterior paint either. This electrifying car will literally put a grin on your face.

 

As Jaguar’s first pure-electric model, the I-PACE features two electric motors (one at each axle) for super sticky all-wheel drive performance. The base EV400 model offers a 234-mile driving range through its high-tech lithium-ion 90 kWh battery. Put your foot on the “go” pedal and get ready because the I-PACE delivers 394 horsepower and 512 lb.-ft. of torque, taking you from zero to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. (For a 4,800-pound car, it’s an amazing sensation to be pushed back in your seat as you watch the hood rise like some electric drag racer.)

 

Another benefit of this new electric Jag is regenerative braking. It can be adjusted so you can drive by only using the accelerator pedal. Take your foot off the juice and the car slows down or comes to a stop as needed. Or, you can adjust it to allow you to press the brake pedal to slow and stop as you would in a traditional combustion engine car. This may take a bit of getting used to but like most other EVs, it is the new norm as the car uses its brakes to send some power back into the battery.

Speaking of the I-PACE battery, it can handle 100-kW DC charging, but most existing infrastructure operates at 50 kW. Those units should charge an I-PACE’s battery from zero to 80 percent in 85 minutes. If you have a 240-volt, 32-amp service installed at your home, you should get a full charge in just under 13 hours. As for long-term battery life, Jaguar’s 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty states that you should still have 70 percent or better battery health at that end of that span.

 

Fun Fact: I-PACE has no rear wiper. The front grill is curved at the top edge to funnel air under the bridge of the hood, out the large scoop, over the windshield and roof, and under the rear wing. This funnel of air reduces drag at the rear of the car and (says Jaguar) “eliminates the need for a rear hatch wiper blade as the air flow will keep the rain off the glass.”

 

When traveling light (solo driver, no passengers or cargo), the I-PACE uses only its rear axle below 30 mph so think of it as a rear-biased car. Standard air springs can raise the body 2 inches in “off-road mode” and lower it 1.6 inches for easier entry and exit. Above 65 mph, the I-PACE automatically hunkers down by a fourth of an inch to improve aerodynamics. Another wind-cheating aero feature is the pop-out door handles. They extend from the car when you’re ready to enter then retract flush with each door after you’re inside and ready to go.

 

The Jaguar I-PACE’s unique style really looks more like a low, sleek fastback sedan than an SUV as it’s classified. One look at the I-PACE and you’re probably quick to notice the short hood and long dash that helps contribute to the look. This is made possible because there is no need up front for a traditional motor, giving the car a cabin-forward design layout that maximizes interior room. There’s a panoramic glass roof above your head too, that has no shade, but is heavily tinted to keep you comfortable in the I-PACE’s greenhouse.

 

On the tech-side, I-PACE’s infotainment system, along with the telematics module and battery-management software, can receive over-the-air updates from Jaguar HQ. You’ll find the latest suite of Jaguar safety and security systems in place too like Lane Keep Assist and Adaptive Speed Limiter. And in case you were wondering, I-PACE uses augmented acceleration sounds that emanate from the speakers to give you the sensation of speed through sound. You can, however, switch it off if you wish.

 

The base model Jaguar I-PACE starts at $69,500.00 MSRP ($70,525 including destination) which is around $10,000 less than a Tesla Model X 75D, its closest competitor. The 2019 Jaguar I-PACE is on sale now at Jaguar Land Rover Cary, and at the all-new Jaguar Land Rover Raleigh located on Capital Hills Drive just off Capital Boulevard, north of I-540.

 

 

Written by Leith Media for LeithCars.com

 

 

 

 

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