After an attention-grabbing world premiere in London this past summer, the all-new Jaguar E-PACE compact performance SUV was introduced last week to North American media and consumers as part of a tour called “The Art of Performance”.
Smaller than its F-PACE stable-mate, the E-PACE promises a driving experience that approaches that of a sports car, without compromising on the advantages consumers appreciate in an SUV. It will be powered by a choice of either of two Ingenium 2.0L gasoline engines, one producing 247 hp and the other 296 hp (available in the R-Dynamic models); both will be wedded to a ZF 9-speed automatic transmission. 0-100 km/h acceleration time with each engine setup is 7.0 seconds and 6.4 seconds, respectively.
The E-PACE base model starts at $42,700 and includes 17-inch wheels, LED headlamps, dual exhaust, push-button start, dual-zone A/C, the JaguarDrive drive-mode selection system, all-wheel drive, the Touch Pro infotainment system that features a 10-inch screen, and a host of advanced safety systems, including emergency automatic braking. S and SE options packages are also available to buyers.
In adding to packing extra horses under the hood, the E-PACE R-Dynamic ($51,000) features unique bumpers, gloss-black finish on the grille, satin chrome exterior elements, 18-inch wheels, paddle shifters on the steering wheel, leather-covered sport seats, a navigation system and a wider range of electronic drive assist systems. Options packages for the R-Dynamic are the SE and HSE.
Starting at $59,000, the E-PACE First Edition adds high-end design elements like Caldera red paint finish and satin grey-finish 20-inch twin-spoke alloy wheels, as well as a Windsor ebony leather interior also featuring a Meridian audio system (11 speakers) and metallic scuff plates. A gesture-activated liftgate rounds out the included features.
Stay tuned to Auto123.com in the coming weeks for our review of the 2018 Jaguar E-PACE!