Jaguar first to pounce on NZ scene

This story first appeared in the April issue of AutoTalk – CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE

This year will see the launch of at least three premium – and non-Tesla – electric vehicles in the New Zealand market: The Audi e-tron, the Mercedes-Benz EQC and the first to arrive, the Jaguar I-Pace.

While the others are outright SUVs, Jaguar has gone in its own direction, with this aggressive – and I think beautiful – sports-car crossover design.

It’s a car that is hard to place how big it is, and on its own it can look little bigger than a small hatchback.

But that wheelbase is actually slightly longer than a Model X.

That said, its sporty shape and a lack of front and rear overhangs means it is more like a medium size sedan space-wise inside – although Jaguar claims the rear seat dimensions are the same as a Porsche Cayenne.

There are some cool design touches outside.

The front grille slopes back into where the engine would normally sit and allows air to vent out of the bonnet – passing over the windscreen at an optimum angle.

This helps the car gain its slippery 0.29 drag coefficient.

Contrasting panels on the side help hide the thickness required in the floor for the 90kWh battery.

The I-Pace charges through a CCS type two combination plug.

It can charge at up to 100kW DC – at least it will when we get them here.

We have been told a software update will eventually bring this up to 150kW.

The onboard AC charger is only 7kWh, which means your quickest AC charge will take around 12.9 hours.

Inside, the I-Pace feels like a comfortable sports sedan rather than an SUV.

These front seats are very supportive, and rear seat space is equally useful.

The glass roof adds to an airy feel.

The interior build quality is very impressive.

It feels far tighter and better put together than a Tesla, and feels closer in materials and quality to a Range Rover than a Jaguar.

Jaguar’s inTouch infotainment system operates across two screens and is fairly responsive.

For iPhone or android users Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is available, though we found CarPlay to be a little buggy and it crashed three times on us.

Jaguar has tried to be clever with these new climate control dials, that pull and push to change their function, though I am not sure they are that successful.

Along with the second screen for secondary climate and phone functions, they draw your eyes away from the road and could take some getting used to.

Using an electric motor mounted in each wheel, the I-Pace produces 696Nm of driving force and a total of 290kW from two 150kW motors.

With no gearbox or other driveline to produce transmission losses, it can sprint from 0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds and up to a maximum speed of 200km/h.

You can operate the car in Eco, Comfort or Performance mode.

This varies steering response, suspension height and firmness and ride height – which is separately adjustable thanks to adaptive air suspension.

That air suspension gives the car some off-road credibility as well.

Jack it up to full height and it can wade through 500mm of water – enough to embarrass utes.

Predominately built of aluminium, the I-Pace weighs in at 2133kg.

Weight is split 50/50 for excellent handling, and like all electric vehicles the weight is, of course, down low.

On the road it has a brilliant combination of ride and handling, it is comfortable yet corners flat and fast.

The steering feels tight and responsive.

This is a very impressive car.

Driver assistance systems include autonomous emergency braking, a lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control and more.

Under the WLTP testing system, Jaguar claims a range of 470km for the I-Pace.
While that is no doubt possible, I would expect high 300km would be the more realistic expectation.

This is, after all, a performance vehicle.

To date, the I-Pace has gathered 55 car or SUV awards from around the world, including the 2019 European Car of the Year.

This is a great car, let alone electric car, so it is not hard to see why.

Price drop

Literally as we were about to go to press with this magazine, Jaguar announced sizeable price cuts to the I-Pace.

New pricing will now see the range start at $144,900 S model, $154,900 for the SE model and $164,900 for HSE.

General manager of Jaguar NZ Steve Kenchington notes we are one of the first non-Government subsidised EV markets in the world to take delivery of the new model when it lands in the coming months.

“One of the challenges we have faced when establishing a new category is ensuring that the price point we set is aligned with both market expectations and the pricing of other premium EVs which are just now coming on to the market,” Kenchington says.

“What we have seen since the I-Pace was first announced here is that the market dynamics operate quite differently compared to countries where there are EV incentives in place; and yet this hasn’t hampered demand for this model at all.

“Jaguar has already pre-sold more I-Paces in New Zealand than in countries with much higher population densities such as Singapore, Japan and South Korea – all before the first customer vehicles have landed here.

“What this is telling us is that there is an opportunity for Jaguar to take a substantially larger share of this category,” he says.

Kenchington says Jaguar NZ operates as the distributor and pricing is often based on projected demand and their ability to work out better terms with their suppliers.

“While there are no subsidies for EVs in this market, we are continuously working hard to negotiate better pricing – something that would not be possible without the support of our incredibly loyal customer base.”

Kenchington says there are a range of factors influencing local demand for the I-Pace including growing interest in Formula E as well as the performance of Aucklander Simon Evans who took out the inaugural I-Pace eTrophy race in Saudi Arabia earlier this year.

The new pricing structure will take effect immediately and will include all customers who have pre-purchased the vehicle.