Picking up the Pace
When it was launched in 2017, the Jaguar E-Pace – the first compact SUV model from Coventry – became only the second Jaguar model ever produced outside of the United Kingdom, following a contract manufacturing agreement with Magna Steyr in Austria.
What was the first? Well, it was the XJ Series, assembled from knocked-down kits in the Blackheath factory in Cape Town, South Africa, and in Nelson, New Zealand, during the good old British Leyland days (locally known as Leykor) back in the late ’seventies.
While the assembly of the XJ locally did not last very long, production of the E-Pace, by contrast, was extended to China in 2018, where the smallest Jaguar SUV – developed to challenge the BMW X1, Audi Q3, Volvo XC40, Mercedes-Benz GLA and Range Rover Evoque – is built-in Chery Jaguar Land Rover’s manufacturing plant in Changshu.
Dynamic, Electrified, Connected
Now the new Jaguar cub, featuring an enhanced interior, refreshed exterior, latest Pivi Pro infotainment system, better connectivity and a choice of engines, including a plug-in hybrid drivetrain, is available in South Africa.
Externally, the new E-Pace is distinguished from its predecessor by new all-LED headlights with ‘Double J’ Daytime Running Light (DRL) signatures, a new grille mesh design with diamond detailing, new side fender vents featuring the iconic Leaper emblem, a new rear bumper with either a mesh insert or slim horizontal blade finishers, and all-LED rear lights with Jaguar’s chicane graphic.
Inside, the centrepiece of the new E-Pace is an integrated 11.4” curved-glass HD touchscreen that controls the new Pivi Pro infotainment system. The interior also provides a larger storage area in front of the new Drive Selector finished with “cricket ball” stitching. A new steering wheel features hidden-until-lit switches and metal gearshift paddles.
An advanced 1.5-litre three-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine is the latest member of the modular, flexible Ingenium engine family and is available in the E-Pace with plug-in hybrid (PHEV) technology. With a significant 33 kg weight saving from the four-cylinder, the lightweight aluminium engine delivers strong performance and refinement.
PHEV Powertrain
The P300e PHEV powertrain combines the 147 kW 1.5-litre engine and an 80 kW Electric Rear Axle Drive (ERAD) motor to deliver a combined output of 227 kW and 540 Nm of torque, making a 0-100 km/h time of 6.5 seconds possible, with CO2 emissions from 44 g/km and fuel usage as low as 2.0 l/100 km.
The compact ERAD motor is powered by a 15 kWh lithium-ion battery located under the boot floor. It provides up to 55 km of all-electric range when fully charged, enabling the new all-wheel-drive P300e to complete the average daily commute of 30.2 km in EV mode without requiring a recharge.
As before, the refreshed E-Pace is also available with the latest 2.0-litre four-cylinder Ingenium diesel and 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engines, all paired with AWD and nine-speed automatic transmissions. The turbodiesel mill produces 147 kW and 430 Nm of torque, and the Ingenium petrol engine is available in two power outputs.
In the P250 version, it develops 184 kW and 365 Nm of torque, making a 0-100 km/h sprint in 7.5 seconds possible, while in the range-topping P300 (only available in the E-Pace 300 Sport), the engine delivers 221 kW and 400 Nm (0-100 km/h in 6.9 seconds and a maximum speed of 241 km/h, according to Jaguar).
Besides the 300 Sport, all the models feature R-Dynamic specification providing a sportier appearance. Additions include R-Dynamic sports seats, Ebony Suede cloth headlining, contrast stitch detailing and an Ebony steering wheel with ‘R’ badging. Rich accent colours pair well with the sporty Ebony Black environment and authentic aluminium finishes.
Also standard is Jaguar Drive Control with Comfort, Eco and Dynamic modes, and new Adaptive Surface Response, and a central 11.4” touchscreen, complemented by a new 12.3” HD Interactive Driver Display and full-colour TFT Head-up Display. The new E-Pace also features Jaguar’s ClearSight Interior Rear View Mirror and Driver Condition Monitor technology.
The top model 300 Sport is set apart from its lesser siblings by 20” five-spoke diamond-turned finish with black accent wheels, a Black Exterior Pack and a powered tailgate, and on the inside illuminated Jaguar treadplates, a Meridian Audio system and R-Dynamic Taurus Sport seats.
Pivi Pro System
With Jaguar’s latest Electronic Vehicle Architecture (EVA 2.0) supporting the state-of-the-art Pivi Pro dual-sim infotainment system and Software-Over-The-Air (SOTA) technology, the new compact performance SUV is always connected and up to date. Pivi Pro is delivered through a new curved-glass 11.4” HD touchscreen – 48 % larger and up to three times brighter than it was before.
Pivi Pro features a simplified menu structure and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard and allows customers to connect two phones simultaneously via Bluetooth. The embedded apps available – including Spotify, Deezer and TuneIn – provide full functionality even without a smartphone. Further connected features include Google and Microsoft Outlook calendar integration.
The latest dual-sim technology provides pivi Pro connectivity with two LTE modems enabling the system to carry out multiple functions simultaneously, such as streaming media and downloading SOTA updates, without compromising performance. The system is fitted as standard to S, SE and HSE models.
Report by FERDI DE VOS | Images © JAGUAR SOUTH AFRICA
