Jaguar’s first electric vehicle in New Zealand next year

Jaguar unleashes its first electric vehicle on the road next year.

The I-Pace will be available in the second half of 2018, and launched in New Zealand late that year.

A preview SUV, the I-PACE Concept, had its first street drive at London’s Olympic Park.

“The feedback on the I-PACE Concept has been fantastic,” Jaguar design director Ian Callum says. “With the I-PACE Concept we’ve torn up the rule book to create a vehicle with supercar inspired aesthetics, sports car performance and SUV space, in one electric package.”

Callum says it’s surprised people, and the enthusiasm for Jaguar’s first electric vehicle has been beyond his expectations.

“Driving the concept on the streets is really important for the design team,” he says. “You can see the true value of the I-PACE’s dramatic silhouette and powerful proportions when you see it on the road, against other cars. The I-PACE Concept represents the next generation of battery electric vehicle design. For me, the future of motoring has arrived.”

The I-PACE will be a long-distance sprinter that accelerates to 96.5kmh in around 4 seconds. It has a range of more than 500km (NEDC cycle) from the 90kWh lithium-ion battery. Charging is easy and quick, with 80% charge achieved in 90 minutes using 50kW DC charging.

Compact, lightweight electric motors at the front and rear axles generate a combined output of 400PS (a picosecond equals one trillionth of a second) and 700Nm (Newton metre) of torque, with the benefits of all-wheel drive.

The I-PACE will also deliver the agility, ride comfort and refinement that will set it apart from other electric vehicles, Callum says.

He says it will be a true Jaguar and a true drivers’ car.

To be one of the first owners go to www.jaguar.com and click the ‘I want one’ button.