Jaguar I-PACE Electric SUV India Launch In 2020; Will Rival Audi e-tron

The electric Jaguar crossover has a range of 470km (WLTP- Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) and a 0-100kmph time of under 4.8 seconds

• Powered by two electric motors with a combined output of 400PS and 696Nm.
• Available with a single 90kWh battery, so no multiple range options.
• No direct rivals in the Indian market as of now, but Audi will launch the e-tron soon and Tesla is committed to come to India by 2020.
• Expected to be priced around Rs 1 crore.

Jaguar has confirmed that it will introduce its first electric SUV, the I-Pace, in India, in the second half of 2020. The I-Pace went on sale internationally in March 2018 after its debut as a concept in 2016.

Powering the I-Pace is a set of electric motors (one on each axle) with a combined power output of 400PS. Its powertrain is capable of propelling the I-PACE from 0-100kmph in 4.8 seconds. There’s a 90kWh battery pack that lends the electric Jaguar crossover a range of 470km (WTLP). Jaguar claims that with a 50kW DC charger, the 90kWh battery pack can be juiced for a range of around 270km in just one hour. On the other hand, Jaguar claims that a 7kW regular AC socket will be able to charge the I-PACE’s battery to 80 per cent in 10 hours.

Designwise, the I-PACE has a heavily raked rear windscreen that makes it look like a crossover. It gets a lip spoiler at the rear with a dual-tone rear bumper with diffuser and sleek LED tail lamps. The front looks quintessentially Jaguar with stretched LED headlamps and the family grille. In profile, it looks rather bulky with its flowing shoulder line and big wheel arches housing 18-inch alloys.

On the inside, the I-Pace’ cabin looks modern and premium. It is equipped with Jaguar’s Touch Pro Duo infotainment system that has two screens housed in the central column, like in any other modern JLR car. However, the centre of attraction in the I-PACE is its AI-based infotainment system. The system evaluates remaining range based on climate, weather, topography, driving style and traffic conditions and can also sense the number of occupants to adjust the climate control for better passenger comfort.

Jaguar is not the only premium carmaker that’s planning to launch an electric SUV in India. Where Audi has already confirmed its plans to bring the e-tron SUV here, Tesla is also gearing up to enter the Indian car market in 2020. If and when the latter happens (expected by late 2019 or early 2020), the I-Pace might also face heat from the Tesla Model 3. Mercedes-Benz also has an electric SUV, the EQC, in its global portfolio, but the carmaker has not said anything about launching it in the Indian market. The I-PACE is on sale in the UK market at a starting price of ￡64,495 (Rs 57.9 lakh)and in the US at a base price of $69,500 (Rs 47.87 lakh). We expect the I-PACE to be sold in India for around Rs 1 crore.

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