2018 Jaguar E-Pace: Designed to Cross Over
One year after the Jaguar F-Pace crossover became the company’s most-popular and fastest-selling model, the company has unleashed a cub poised to follow in those profitable paw prints. The smaller E-Pace is expected to capitalize on the segment’s red-hot popularity with its sports-car styling and high-end heritage. This latest crossover confidently casts its own shadow with a design theme paralleling that of the stunning Jaguar F-Type coupe. Along with all-important practicality and notable capability, the first-ever E-Pace may just drag its maker into the most lucrative part of the mainstream market.
Competent Kitty
Despite Jaguar’s dangerously similar naming scheme, don’t confuse this vehicle with the all-electric Jaguar I-Pace, as the E-Pace doesn’t sip electrons. The E-Pace will be available only with a gasoline-fueled, turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four in two states of tune. The base engine makes 246 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque; the other, exclusive to the R-Dynamic models, produces 296 horses and 295 lb-ft. Both connect to a nine-speed ZF automatic transmission that directs engine torque to one of two all-wheel-drive systems. The standard driveline uses permanent all-wheel drive, while the R-Dynamic has what Jaguar calls an Active Driveline that can transfer almost all engine torque to either the front or rear axle depending on driving mode and conditions. While not available at launch, an optional Configurable Dynamics package will include adaptive dampers with driver-adjustable settings.
Like the rest of the Jaguar lineup, the E-Pace has a striking-yet-subtle exterior design. As with the F-Pace, company officials used a lot of words explaining how this size-smaller crossover resembles the F-type coupe. The familiar J-blade running lamps and a sleek roofline tapers into the tail, et cetera. And certainly the E’s headlights are more F-type-looking. However, to us, and probably to you, it looks a lot like a slightly smaller F-Pace. Which is no bad thing. Its oval grille and vertical headlamps incorporate familiar J-blade running lamps and the sleek roofline tapers into the tail, all resembling the F-Type coupe. Sculpted rear fenders and Jaguar’s new chicane graphics visible on the lower door panels and within the rear taillamps accentuate the design. R-Dynamic variants employ a front bumper with larger air intakes, much as on the XF S and F-Pace S, plus body-color sill panels and lower rear-bumper surfaces.
Underneath the Skin
The sports-car inspiration continues inside the E-Pace with a driver-centric cockpit and tactile controls. A grab handled console separates driver from passenger and a traditional hand lever operates gear selections. Occupants are surrounded by soft-touch plastics on the upper dashboard and door panels. The absence of wood trim in the cabin in favor of aluminum pieces was intentional to attract younger, first-time Jaguar buyers, which the company said are expected to make up to 80 percent of E-Pace sales. Although it may look like a mini F-Pace, the E-Pace actually is based on the front-drive Range Rover Evoque architecture—rather than the rear-drive-based F—although the wheelbase has been stretched 0.9 inch compared with the Evoque, which should help with rear-seat space.
Tech Inspection
Every model comes standard with a 10.0-inch touchscreen using the latest iteration of JRL’s corporate InTouch Pro infotainment system. It’s available with a 4G LTE mobile hotspot, four 12-volt outlets, and two USB ports. Three of the 12-volt outlets are located on the back of the center console and can be optioned into USB ports instead if requested. Unfortunately, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are absent from the features list.
The E-Pace has a useful center console with a removable set of cupholders that can be covered for more storage space or left open to provide a handy slot for smartphone storage. Other neat treats include an optional 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster that’s customizable and can nearly fill the screen with a navigation display, much like Audi’s Virtual Cockpit. The E-Pace also is among the first to implement Jaguar’s new color head-up display. Available active-safety features include a blind-spot monitor, a 360-degree camera, parking assist, and automated emergency braking.
The E-Pace will start at $39,595 when it goes on sale in the U.S. in early 2018. R-Dynamic models start at $48,425, and the First Edition tops the price meter at $54,545. While the E-Pace is more expensive than rivals such as the BMW X1, the Mercedes-Benz GLA250, and the Lexus NX, it undercuts the F-Pace’s base price by $3050.
