The premium electric vehicle (EV) arena in Malaysia welcomes yet another new contender into the fold, with the official launch of the Jaguar I-Pace.
A pure Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) built from the ground up, it is the British automaker’s first-ever, all-electric performance SUV.
Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia is offering the I-Pace in two variants, the base-range Black LE starting at MYR 460,800, and the top-range HSE at MYR 498,800.
Prices include a five-year/150,000 KM warranty, five-year/102,000 KM free servicing, three-year roadside assistance, and an eight-year/160,000 KM battery warranty.
Weighing in at 2,208 KG, the I-Pace stands at 4,682 MM long, 2,136 MM wide, 1,566 MM tall, and with a wheelbase spanning 2,990 MM.
Solid and sporty, its low sitting exterior with a tapered waistline cabin features a front end with a bold inward-curving grille. Designed with mesh-like inserts but in EV style (closed-off grille), it is elegantly adorned by the Jaguar insignia.
Then, the front bumper seamlessly merges with the hood, creating a sense of flow towards its curved roofline. Smooth contours and fluidity command the entire outlook, completing a strong character.
A fairly unique silhouette, the rear end compliments the front nicely, featuring a coupe-esque roofline with angularly smooth contours, and a sportily subtle roof-edge spoiler.
Completing the layout, the body-coloured bumper gets slit-like intakes at the edges, and is paired to a black diffuser that has squared-off corners for drag efficiency.
Slim, futuristic and Jaguar-like, it gets a set of headlamps perfectly shaped for its low prowling body, featuring the brand’s signature double ‘J’ blade light graphic.
They are adaptive Matrix LED units with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), and come with Follow-Me-Home and auto levelling functions, and three-flash turn indicators.
The wraparound tail lamps have a very sleek outlook, accentuating the sporty and minimalistic rear layout well.
They are full LED units with sequential turn indicators, and the adaptive Matrix LED being optional, of which when selected features the same dramatic Animated Directional Indicators as the headlamps.
The side mirrors are electronically adjusted and power folded, with turn-indicators, heating, approach lights and auto-dimming (driver).
Fitted are ventilated disc brakes, measuring 350 MM with four-piston callipers (front) and 325 MM with single-piston callipers (rear). It also gets a brake calliper-integrated Electric Parking Brake (EPB).
Both variants ride on a set of 20-Inch Style 5068, five-spoke alloy rims, finished in Gloss Black (Black LE), and Gloss Dark Grey with Diamond Turned Contrast (HSE).
The I-Pace has a futuristic and highly premium designed dashboard, balancing sports car appeal and luxury craftsmanship harmoniously.
Decked with all-black panels, silver trimming and other details, the dash is paired to an elevated style centre console.
Overall clean and strategically placed, every accessibility on the dash can be touch-controlled, and is ergonomically positioned for the driver.
Installed is a 12.3-Inch high-definition Interactive Driver Display, supporting full screen 3D mapping navigation, phone and media. Optional is a high-definition coloured Head-Up Display (HUD).
Inside the five-seater, the Black LE variant gets Duo Leather sports seats, featuring 12-way electric adjustments, and memory functions (front).
Whereas, the HSE variant gets Windsor Leather performance seats, featuring 14-way electric adjustments, heating and cooling, and memory functions (driver).
Courtesy of a new fully-electric architecture, paired along with a cab forward design, these elements provide the e-SUV with an interior space comparable to large SUVs.
It saves space by placing the battery underneath the floor, and due to the deleted transmission tunnel, it adds 890 MM of legroom in the back and 10.5-Litre central storage compartment.
Overall, its athletically stocky silhouette offers generous head, shoulder and legroom, thus front and rear occupants get ample space.
The three-spoke, black with silver trimming leather steering wheel has multi-switches (hidden-until-lit touch-sensitive switch), tilt and telescopic adjustments, and features Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS).
It has several storage areas. E.g., centre console compartments, large sized door pockets, back seat pockets, second row under-seat stowage, and a decent-sized glove box.
There are four cup holders, two located in the front centre console, two in the rear centre armrest. Also, there are four bottle holders, located at each side door pocket.
It features five USB ports, two 12-V sockets and a wireless charging pad.
It has a load capacity of 656-Litres, and up to 1,453-Litres with the seats folded flat. Plus, the available roof cross bars provide extra load of 75 KG.
The I-Pace gets an Advanced Driver Assistant System (ADAS) suite consisting of Emergency Braking, Cruise Control and Speed Limiter, Driver Condition Monitor, Traffic Sign Recognition and Adaptive Speed Limiter, Lane Keep Assist, and Front and Rear Parking Aid.
Passive safety includes six airbags, seat belts (reminders, pre-tensioners, anchors), ISOFIX, parking sensors (front, rear), reverse camera, door ajar warning, Low Traction Control, Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), All Surface Progress Control (ASPC), Hill Launch Assist (HLA), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), perimetric alarm, security alarm with anti-theft and engine-immobiliser, and timed-charging (vehicle battery).
The JaguarDrive Control drivetrain management system provides four drive modes. I.e., Eco, Comfort, Dynamic, and Rain/Ice/Snow.
Installed is the Pivi Pro infotainment system, consisting of two big, angled and stacked touchscreen displays, measuring 10-Inch (top) and 5.5-Inch (bottom).
The top unit supports Connected Navigation Pro and Smart Settings, Interactive Driver Display, AM/FM radio, Bluetooth and voice control.
The bottom unit has a touch panel and multi-function haptic dials for the climate control and various other settings.
The suite of ADAS will make long and short journeys less tiresome, at the same time easing the day-to-day manoeuvrability of the e-SUV.
The Black LE variant gets a standard sound system setup, while the HSE variant upgrades it to a Meridian 3D surround sound system with 16 speakers and a subwoofer.
The I-Pace surges with two Jaguar-designed, front and rear axle-mounted, permanent magnet synchronous electric motors, generating 395 HP/294-KW and 696 NM of torque.
Instead of a conventional transmission, it gets the JaguarDrive Control, which delivers instant acceleration from zero to 12,000 RPM without lag and gearshift interruptions.
Power is transmitted to all four wheels (AWD), and is aided by the All-Surface Progress Control (ASPC), and open differentials with brake-activated torque vectoring.
It can go from 0 to 100 KM/H in 4.8 seconds and hit a top speed of 200 KM/H.
Installed is a 90-KWH Lithium-Ion battery, yielding a maximum driving range of 470 KM (WLTP).
100-KW DC quick charging allows a 0% to 80% state of charge (SoC) in under 40 minutes, while the same SoC can be achieved using an 11-KW AC home wall box in just over 8.6 hours, ideal for overnight charging.
The I-Pace has Jaguar Smart Key System with Keyless Entry, push/start engine button, electric cabin preconditioning, two-zone auto-climate control, multi-function steering wheel, auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror, power adjustable seats, LED rear reading lamp, front and rear armrests, reverse camera, front and rear parking sensors, rain sensing headlights and wipers, auto headlamps, voice control and speed sensing door locks.
There are rear air-conditioning vents present in the rear cabin.
Innovatively, by positioning the battery low in the centre of the e-SUV, with a seal between the housing and the underfloor, it allows for a perfect 50:50 weight distribution and a low centre of gravity.
This aspect combined with the advanced double wishbone front and Integral Link rear axles with (optional) air suspension and configurable Adaptive Dynamics, results in agile handling and exceptional ride comfort.
Overall, it is very spacious with firm handling and is very suitable as a daily driver. Inside and out, performance- and comfort-wise, the ride quality is satisfactory.
Good sound insulation with the NVH aspects accounted for. The cabin is acoustically designed, to enhance the in-car ambience and block out exterior noises.
It features encapsulation around the e-motors to reduce vibration, aerodynamically designed exterior to reduce wind noise, and Acoustic Laminated Glass (front - windows, windscreen).
Overall, the cabin is able to suppress unwanted noises well and make them barely noticeable, even when cruising through bumpy asphalts or at all speeds.
The Jaguar I-Pace is built with a sophisticatedly sporty appeal, while still being able to offer performance, space and practicality.
Its beautifully sculpted exterior is very well designed, with the clean and seamless lines donating a powerful overall contour, emphasising its coupe-esque silhouette.
British-made, the quality of the equipment and materials installed inside, is also impressive with the upscale, mature design and restrained detailing.
Overall, the Jag’s first-ever e-SUV bargains more than just good looks, it also provides an energising driving pleasure with its fully-electrified drive.