Now, we've heard a great deal about the Jaguar F-Pace already. Jaguar is adamant it will be the most dynamic SUV available, the Ingenium engines are from the
XE
and the styling remains very close to the C-X17 concept. But as the car is shown to the world's media at Frankfurt, the full details of the F-Pace have now been released. All 11,298 words of full details...
Inevitably prices and specifications are where most discussion will focus on so let's begin there. The F-Pace range starts at £34,170 for the 180hp rear-wheel drive diesel with a six-speed manual. To have the four-cylinder diesel engine with an automatic it must be an all-wheel drive version; the premium from rear- to four-wheel drive isn't known yet, Jaguar only releasing prices for each trim level. The 300hp V6 diesel is also available as four-wheel drive and automatic only, likewise the 340hp supercharged V6 petrol. The specifications available are Prestige, R Sport (from £36,670), Portfolio (from £39,170) and S (from £51,450). Otherwise known as the normal one, the slightly sporty one, the luxurious one and the actually sporty one not offered with the 180hp diesel.
There's also a First Edition, offering 'concept car design for the real world'. Essentially it evokes (no pun intended) the appearance of the C-X17 with Caesium Blue paint and 22-inch (!) 15-spoke wheels on 265-section tyres. It's even got really impractical 'Light Oyster' leather inside. All it needs is a scantily-dressed woman and that's show car bingo full house! Only available with the 300hp diesel, it costs £65,275. Yes that is written correctly. Back to the real world...
As this is Jaguar's first SUV (or performance crossover officially), the F-Pace is chock full of off-road technology. And acronyms. The torque on demand all-wheel drive, managed by the Intelligent Driveline Dynamics (IDD), is a development of that used on the F-Type and can transfer up to 50 per cent of torque to the front wheels in 165 milliseconds or less. Despite Jaguar's claims of testing on Eastnor and publishing departure angles, wading depth and so on, you sense this is very much a part-time 4x4 at best. But then unsurprising to find it's not an all-out mud-plugger; who actually buys proper off-roaders at the moment. To aid F-Pace drivers over whatever off-roading they may have to do (insert your own middle-class joke), there is Adaptive Surface Response (ASR), All-Surface Progress Control and Low-Friction Launch (LFL). Phew. Between them they set the car up best for whatever conditions are underneath; ASPC will control throttle and brakes too, LFL aiding the launch if you still wish to actually use the throttle...
But of course the F-Pace needs to be good on the road to match the promise of being the most dynamic SUV. Further to the information already released, Jaguar has now confirmed a kerbweight 'from 1,665kg' thanks to the Lightweight Aluminium Architecture that underpins the F-Type. Of course it's not uncommon for there to be some, er, disparity between and official JLR kerbweight and the real world figure but it's an encouraging start. Regardless, Jaguar says the F-Pace will be "a performance crossover which delivers an unmatched breadth of dynamic capability on all surfaces and all conditions"
The electric power steering being introduced across the Jaguar range now features a variable ratio to upset purists even further. Oh, and to make the car feel more responsive. 'Responsive' is a key phrase in the Jaguar material in fact, applicable to Torque Vectoring, Adaptive Dynamics and Configurable Dynamics tech borrowed from the F-Type.
But for those really after configurable technology - and who isn't right now? - then inside the F-Pace will be a big draw. All models feature InControl Touch, JLR's new infotainment system, with Pro available as an option. That brings a 10.2-inch main screen - largest in the class, don't you know - with customisable homescreens, widgets and a 60GB Solid State Drive for storing music. Up to eight devices can be connected via the Wi-Fi hotspot depending on how much your passengers dislike your company.
But in amongst all this is a piece of quite useful technology. Well, it sounds it. 'Activity Key' is a waterproof, shockproof wristband that means the key can be left inside the car when you're out mountain biking, running or something like that. The key left in the car is disabled until it's unlocked again by holding the wristband to the 'J' of Jaguar on the boot. There's no battery either so it should be trouble free...
Nearly there. Inside it's worth noting there's 650 litres of boot space with the rear seats up or 1,740 with them down, a 'Sports Command' driving position and (apparently) plentiful space for five. The boot has a reversible wipe down surface for mucky pets/children too.
Finally then, the F-Pace's looks. It's pretty sharp actually, and its case has definitely been helped by a launch so close to the Bentley Bentayga. Again the F-Type influence is clear but then that's hardly a bad thing. Maybe it won't look so appealing on 18s but let's see.
The Jaguar F-Pace is available to order right now; while it's entering an intensely competitive sector (how many X3s and Q5s do you see every day?) it looks to have a great deal going for it. PH will crossover to a rare SUV review very soon!