Wednesday 26th August 2015

F-Pace 'to raise the standard' for SUV dynamics

On demand all-wheel drive, Integral Link and new Jaguar EPAS confirmed for the SUV

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Don't think it was exclusively the XE which received the full Jaguar pre-launch PR hype. As the first SUV from Jaguar, the F-Pace was never going to be launched modestly. There isn't any word of a musical yet though...

Paint options unconfirmed...

Anyway, the latest from Jaguar on its "performance crossover" is about the dynamic technology, the equipment that promises to make it "the most rewarding driver's car of its kind". Right now the Macan probably claims that accolade and for Jaguar to match that will be a notable achievement.

To that end, the F-Pace employs the new Integral Link rear suspension seen on the XE and XF, torque vectoring as used in the F-Type and the electric power steering that's being rolled out across the range. The all-wheel drive system is torque on demand, implying a similar system to that used in the F-Type AWD.

Like all Jaguars, the dynamics of the F-Pace will be signed off by Mike Cross and his 'Vehicle Integrity' team. He says: "We've tested ride and handling... in all environments and in all conditions, and the result is that the new F-Pace is as engaging and rewarding to drive as it is going to be enjoyable to own." We'll hold you to that Mike!

There's not long to find out either, with the production F-Pace being shown at Frankfurt in a couple of weeks and sales beginning in 2016. With new competition from Mercedes plus the familiar rivals from Porsche, BMW and Audi, the F-Pace won't have it easy. PH verdict as soon as we've driven a car!

 

[Jflowers123]

Only thing which is bugging me is, the XE (back similar to an A4) now the F-pace (back similar to an evoque) Not hating Jaguar, just never can get past those 2 things

[300bhp/ton]

Am I the only one left that wants a 4x4 to feel and drive like a 4x4 and somewhat truck like?

If I want one to drive like a car, well I'll buy a car...

[ewenm]

300bhp/ton said:

Am I the only one left that wants a 4x4 to feel and drive like a 4x4 and somewhat truck like?

If I want one to drive like a car, well I'll buy a car...

Category error - these vehicles are primarily large cars. Their 4x4 functionality is an incidental attribute to most.

[daveco]

SUV dynamics...well there's an oxymoron!

These things are taking over the roads. Where is all the money coming from??

[Zod]

Ooh, what a surprise: Mike Cross says this new Jaguar will be better than any of its rivals.

[DonkeyApple]

ewenm said:

300bhp/ton said:

Am I the only one left that wants a 4x4 to feel and drive like a 4x4 and somewhat truck like?

If I want one to drive like a car, well I'll buy a car...

Category error - these vehicles are primarily large cars. Their 4x4 functionality is an incidental attribute to most.

Exactly. A lot of people haven't fully appreciated that the market split quite some time ago. That these onroad SUVs are evolutions of car types such as hatchbacks and estates. Whereas the traditional offroad 4x4 has either remained as such or been replaced by the pickup truck concept.

These SUVs out of Porsche, BMW, Honda, Kia etc have their DNA lineage in hatchbacks and estates not utility 4x4s.

Road users have found the idea of a taller version of a hatchback or estate to be desireable and so the manufacturers are meeting that demand.

[Ex Boy Racer]

Bit ugly though, innit?

[fezst]

I personally can't wait to see one of these on the road. Jaguar is simply meeting the demand of a market which is clearly thriving.

[RobGT81]

300bhp/ton said:

Am I the only one left that wants a 4x4 to feel and drive like a 4x4 and somewhat truck like?

If I want one to drive like a car, well I'll buy a car...

Disco 4?

[chrisjpartridge]

Ex Boy Racer said:

Bit ugly though, innit?

+1

[wildcat45]

I understand the demand for this type of vehicle but why go to the expense of designing and building something that will take sales away from products you already sell Range Rovers?

I take it this car has no Land Rover DNA but will share engines. If so, then why not badge engineer has been done- for want of a better term - a Range Rover product or a forthcoming Land Rover product, all the big expensive design and R & D has been done.

I would genuinely like to know the answer

[daveco]

wildcat45 said:

I understand the demand for this type of vehicle but why go to the expense of designing and building something that will take sales away from products you already sell Range Rovers?

I take it this car has no Land Rover DNA but will share engines. If so, then why not badge engineer has been done- for want of a better term - a Range Rover product or a forthcoming Land Rover product, all the big expensive design and R & D has been done.

I would genuinely like to know the answer

I would hazard a guess that demand is so overwhelming at the moment that more iterations = greater production numbers of similar vehicles, which will in turn mean more happy Jag/LR customers.

[J4CKO]

daveco said:

SUV dynamics...well there's an oxymoron!

These things are taking over the roads. Where is all the money coming from??

Well, is it these days, go and try and folllow a well driven Macan, SQ5 or even an Evoque.

Basically they all are reasonably stiff bodily now not having a separate chassis, they use the same platform as a rule as the car variants, they usually have four wheel drive for decent traction and usually have a decetn level of power. They use lowish profile summer tyres so grip isnt a problem, they arent great big wallowy things these days either.

The only downside to an SUV is having a higher c of g and to be honest I think having the higher driving position actually makes driving quicker, plus, on the road if you have reached the ultimate cornering and handling limit, or anywhere near, even in a Freelander or something, and need more, you are probably going too fast, they are pretty capable these days, a sportscar will always be better but dont underestimate them, the SUV/Crossover has evolved into a car that can do pretty much anything, its a bit of a swiss army knife, not the ultimate in any area but good enough for most occasions, I really dont think it is just fashion these days.

[j_s14a]

Zod said:

Ooh, what a surprise: Mike Cross says this new Jaguar will be better than any of its rivals.

Given that Jaguar haven't made a bad car since the X-Type, he is probably right. Their current product range is fantastic.

[Zod]

j_s14a said:

Zod said:

Ooh, what a surprise: Mike Cross says this new Jaguar will be better than any of its rivals.

Given that Jaguar haven't made a bad car since the X-Type, he is probably right. Their current product range is fantastic.

The cars are good. Better than all rivals as Cross asserts? I think not.

[8bit]

Zod said:

j_s14a said:

Zod said:

Ooh, what a surprise: Mike Cross says this new Jaguar will be better than any of its rivals.

Given that Jaguar haven't made a bad car since the X-Type, he is probably right. Their current product range is fantastic.

The cars are good. Better than all rivals as Cross asserts? I think not.

Well what did you expect him to say? And do you think his counterparts at BMW/Audi/whatever don't say similar things about their new models?

[Guvernator]

300bhp/ton said:

Am I the only one left that wants a 4x4 to feel and drive like a 4x4 and somewhat truck like?

If I want one to drive like a car, well I'll buy a car...

I am sort of going to agree with you here. I can understand the fact that these aren't really SUV's in the proper sense and often based on a normal car platform in the range so won't have the traditional 4x4 terrain capabilities. However for me, one of the great appeals of an SUV would be the supple ride I associate with this sector.

I really have no idea why you'd want an SUV to handle like a car, I tried a newish Q5 a while back and was surprise but in a bad way. As far as I could tell, it had all the drawbacks of a tall SUV (bad C o G) plus all the drawbacks of a modern car with sporting pretensions, i.e. crap crashy ride. So you've got all that space for extra suspension travel and yet it still feels like a hot hatch lowered on-the-cheap when going over potholes. Is this really what consumers are demanding of these new SUV-lites? Seems like a very strange proposition to me.

Having said that I actually like the styling of the F-pace, anyone know how much these are going to cost?

[ewenm]

Guvernator said:

I really have no idea why you'd want an SUV to handle like a car, I tried a newish Q5 a while back and was surprise but in a bad way. As far as I could tell, it had all the drawbacks of a tall SUV (bad C o G) plus all the drawbacks of a modern car with sporting pretensions, i.e. crap crashy ride. So you've got all that space for extra suspension travel and yet it still feels like a hot hatch lowered on-the-cheap when going over potholes. Is this really what consumers are demanding of these new SUV-lites? Seems like a very strange proposition to me.

"Dynamics honed at the Nurburgring" has a lot to answer for...

[DonkeyApple]

daveco said:

wildcat45 said:

I understand the demand for this type of vehicle but why go to the expense of designing and building something that will take sales away from products you already sell Range Rovers?

I take it this car has no Land Rover DNA but will share engines. If so, then why not badge engineer has been done- for want of a better term - a Range Rover product or a forthcoming Land Rover product, all the big expensive design and R & D has been done.

I would genuinely like to know the answer

I would hazard a guess that demand is so overwhelming at the moment that more iterations = greater production numbers of similar vehicles, which will in turn mean more happy Jag/LR customers.

Also, a small SUV will help underpin sales in the West as a hedge against a sales slump of the higher ticket cars in Asia which has to be a clear risk at present. I bet JLR have watched orders fall in China steadily this year.

[seefarr]

DonkeyApple said:

ewenm said:

300bhp/ton said:

Am I the only one left that wants a 4x4 to feel and drive like a 4x4 and somewhat truck like?

If I want one to drive like a car, well I'll buy a car...

Category error - these vehicles are primarily large cars. Their 4x4 functionality is an incidental attribute to most.

Exactly. A lot of people haven't fully appreciated that the market split quite some time ago. That these onroad SUVs are evolutions of car types such as hatchbacks and estates. Whereas the traditional offroad 4x4 has either remained as such or been replaced by the pickup truck concept.

These SUVs out of Porsche, BMW, Honda, Kia etc have their DNA lineage in hatchbacks and estates not utility 4x4s.

Road users have found the idea of a taller version of a hatchback or estate to be desireable and so the manufacturers are meeting that demand.

So it's like a car in that it's designed to only go on the road, but it's worse in every possible way. Remind me why we think it's a good thing again?

If this is "PH" then why not report on the new, exciting Kia Sportage? Besides the jingoistic flag-waving I can't think of a reason...