The revenge of tougher fuel economy regulations is on full display at the Los Angeles Auto Show with the debut of the Jaguar I-Pace concept – a frumpy electric vehicle that runs counter to Jaguar’s low and sleek design practices. This is a production preview of the Jaguar I-PACE, which will be revealed next year and on the road in 2018.
The five-seat sports car allegedly has the performance of an SUV. Ian Callum, Director of Design, said, “The I-PACE Concept represents the next generation of electric vehicle design. It’s a dramatic, future-facing cab-forward design with a beautiful interior – the product of authentic Jaguar DNA, electric technology and contemporary craftsmanship.”
Well, not from where we sit.
The electric motors and 90kWh lithium-ion battery pack were designed in-house by Jaguar Land Rover to give the “best possible performance and range for most daily commutes.” For rapid charging, using a public 50kW DC charging network, a full charge will take just over two hours. This might be enough to deliver an estimated 220-mile range as measured on the US EPA test cycle.
The I-PACE has electric motors on the front and rear axles. Their combined output is 400 horsepower and 516 lb. ft. of torque – the same torque rating as the decidedly better looking F-Type SVR. The I-PACE Concept accelerates from 0-60 mph in around four seconds.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
