And So Jaguar Built Its Entry-Level SUV Hot Hatch
Jaguar's F-Pace SUV is a huge sales success, and now it's looking to get even further into the crossover market. The E-Pace will start at $38,600, which is $3,465 less than the F-Pace, featuring Jaguar Land Rover's new aluminum four-cylinder engine with up to 296 horsepower, a nine-speed ZF automatic, and all-wheel drive as standard (in America). Jaguar believes that's a package you might be interested in.
In terms of the exterior design, Jaguar is playing an interesting game, with elements on the E-Pace lifted straight off the F-Type instead of its bigger brother, the F-Pace. That's slightly misleading since the new E-Pace is built on the front-drive-based platform used by the Land Rover Discovery Sport and the Range Rover Evoque, although its wheelbase has been extended by 1.18 inches.
That technical choice brought in a design challenge, as the front overhang couldn't be any shorter. Not to worry though, because according to Jag designer Wayne Burgess, having only one short end is enough to make the proportions right. You can be the judge of that, but they sure cut the tail off right behind the axle, adding an unusually long spoiler to the tailgate to optimize aerodynamics.
While deliberately distancing it from the F-Pace on the outside - to make sure nobody would mix the two up at the dealerships - Jaguar claims the E-Pace still drives like a hot hatch, despite being a compact SUV weighing 4,175 lbs.
They kind of have to say that, because the E-Pace is the only way they can actually make anything close to being a hot hatch. The fact is that since JLR doesn't have a compact platform, all they could do instead was tighten up the Land Rover platform to suit their dynamic requirements. After all, the E-Pace can hardly afford to be less entertaining to drive than the sporty F-Pace, given the younger target audience.
To improve handling, Jaguar retuned the suspension by changing the camber and the front knuckles, also mounting the steering rack solidly to the frame. The E-Pace's all-wheel drive system is also as rear-biased as possible. There's torque vectoring by braking, but otherwise, the suspension is a MacPherson Strut/multilink setup, with passive dampers and anti-roll bars. You can also have it with wheels as large as 21-inches.
Let's talk power then! The top-of-the-range gas engine produces 296 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, while the entry-level version has 245 hp and 269 lb-ft. Wherever diesels make it, customers can choose between a 148-horse economy champion with 280 lb-ft of torque, a beefier 177-hp tune with 317 lb-ft, or the sporty version with 237 hp and a whole lot of torque at 369 lb-ft. All of these engines are linked to a ZF 9-speed automatic gearbox.
The kids will love the cub graphic easter eggs hidden all over the car. No doubt about it. And yes, JLR considers the E-Pace to be "Jaguar's cub." Okay. Why not?
More importantly, the interior is pretty clever too, with lots of practical storage compartments and connectivity features. There are phone folders, removable cupholders and multiple charging points, while the auto-opening tailgate hides a 20.37-cubic-foot trunk, which can be expanded to 43.5 with the seats folded down.
There's a 10-inch touchscreen taking care of your infotainment needs, the car is a Wi-Fi hotspot, and the optional audio bangs with 825 watts while you go diving with your waterproof Jaguar Activity Key. Yep, the E-Pace has that too.
When it comes to safety, Jaguar has included adaptive cruise control and cue assist, emergency braking, blind-spot alert, lane-keep assist, a 360-view camera, automatic park assist, and rear-traffic monitoring for exiting a parking space.
All this, starting $3,465 less than an F-Pace. That's entry-level in Jaguar's book.
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