Jaguar has provided its fastest-selling model with a significant spruce for 2021, delivering the very latest cabin architecture, its new inline six engine and a first-for-Jag spec of PHEV powerplant, not to mention some chassis tweaks for greater refinement. As far as updates go, then, it's a major one - and not a moment too soon, what with the Ian Callum-designed F-Pace having lost some of its edge versus rivals like the newer Porsche Macan in the last four years. We went along for a sneak preview ahead of the car's official launch.
Let's start with the exterior. It's a pretty, certainly noticeable update on what came before, but also one concerned with finessing the details rather than drastically altering what went before. That's in contrast to what's inside, which we'll come to shortly. There are some predictable features to the new styling package, like standard-fit LED lights and larger front grille, but also a few, less obvious additions.
Take, for example, the body painted lower sides of the car, which you'd miss at a glance but in a back-to-back comparison with the pre-update, plastic-shrouded car, make quite the difference to its silhouette. Ditto the vintage Jaguar emblem-shaped pattern in the front grille, which also now fully hides its radar hardware, replacing the old car's shiny flat grille centre. The headlights now get daytime running lights, while the taillights are slimmed and slightly tinted for an angrier look. Below them, a new bumper broadens the car's stance and also improves aero performance, we're told. Oh, and the car now sits on 19s as standard, with 21-inch R-Dynamic rims above to bolster the range, wears front wing 'leapers' and gets extra paint shades, including Portofino Blue and a darker British Racing Green.
Inside though, as far as Jaguar is concerned, it's all new. Only its JLR sibling, the Defender, has used the same Pivi Pro technology and electric cabin architecture, which - despite having been integrated into a platform designed before its existence - brings the 2021 F-Pace bang up to date. Ahead of the driver sits a standard-fit digital instrument cluster with a greater level of display customisation, sharper HUD and new two-tone steering wheel with its own digital enhancements. While in the middle, a curved 11.4-inch touchscreen with ultra-fine graphics is the dash's focal point, just above physical climate control switches and a new gear selector in place of the old rising rotary one.
It's a substantial upgrade on the old cabin's tech and systems, not least because the Pivi Pro operates and even feels like a smartphone screen, with fast responses and genuinely intuitive menus. It feels a decade ahead of the old car's letterbox-style system, and for good reason. This is effectively next-gen cabin architecture for Jaguar, with the F-Pace update pinching it earlier than normal, so hot is the competition in its segment. But it's not the only significant improvement enhancement to the car's cabin; many will find a selection of material upgrades, softer seat cushions and a multitude of new details all over the five-seater's interior just as convincing. Because they make a hell of a difference.
Higher-grade versions of the car get headrest cushions taken from the Range Rover, for example, and the new interior architecture uses more leathers that extend down to the cabin's floor, cricket ball-style stitching and a greater selection of colours. There's new storage space under the floating section of transmission tunnel and wider cubbyholes in the doors, while rear passengers get new digital climate controls and - especially if the thinner front sports seats are specced - no shortage of rear legroom to go with the F-Pace's generous reserves of headspace. Pinch, poke and press pretty much anything in the cabin and the improvements are obvious. It might yet prove significant enough to give the F-Pace a new class advantage.
Under the bonnet, Jaguar's new inline six 48v mild-hybrid takes the place of the old V6, providing 400hp along with better efficiency - and a gravellier six-pot tone to go with 5.1-to-60mph performance. The most potent offering at launch, though, is the plug-in hybrid, which combines JLR's turbocharged four-cylinder petrol with an electric motor to produce a peak of 404hp and 472lb ft of torque, enabling 33 miles of pure electric range alongside 0-60mph in 5.0 seconds. WLTP stats quote 49g/km and up to 130.2mpg combined, while Jag claims that the boot floor-located 17.1kWh lithium-ion battery can charge from 0-80 per cent charge in as little as 30 minutes on a 32kW DC public plug. Even a 2.3kW charger can get the battery to 80 per cent in 5.5 hours.
Beneath those new powertrain options, the F-Pace keeps its 250hp 2.0-litre petrol engine, while the diesel lineup hangs onto its four-pots in 163hp and 204hp guises, with an inline six oil burner also on offer. Naturally, all versions get the eight-speed automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive, as well as Jaguar's familiar drive modes. The manufacturer claims to have ensured the retention of the F-Pace's car-like responses despite the raft of changes, while actually enhancing on the refinement and pliancy of the chassis thanks largely due to the use of new damper and anti-roll bar settings for both passive and adaptive suspension cars. Other than that, the aluminium architecture and all-round double wishbone suspension remains as before, which is no bad thing at all. Don't forget, this is the car that overturned the Porsche Macan on its first go.
On that note, there's no official mention from Jaguar of a V8 model to succeed the much-loved SVR, but it would be no surprise to see the powerhouse version followed up, especially given the concerted effort to move the car upmarket with a more cohesive feel to it. Fingers crossed etc. For now, the enhanced F-Pace is incoming before the year's close, with prices seeing only a small increase across the board. The starting price is £40,860 for the D165; you'll need £56,060 for the new PHEV or £56,315 for the MHEV inline six. On first encounter, the facelifted model seems worth the premium. We'll know for sure soon enough.
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