Jaguar E-Pace breaks cover

Jaguar is growing its presence in the rapidly expanding SUV space.

Jaguar has taken the wraps off its latest SUV - the E-Pace. Don’t let the ‘E’ in its name misguide you though, this is no environment friendly EV - that role will be taken up by the forthcoming I-Pace.

Offbeat nomenclature aside, the E-Pace is the baby Jaguar SUV which will slot a segment below the much acclaimed F-Pace. JLR has based the E-Pace off its D8 architecture, which also forms the base for Land Rover’s Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque models.

Unlike the F-Pace, which takes its front design inspiration from Jaguar’s saloons, the E-Pace seems to have taken a page from the F-Type’s book - the vertically stretched headlamps with L-shaped DRLs support this. This would reassure that the E-Pace has a distinctive identity, and that the bigger F-Pace won’t get mistaken for its younger sibling.

Rest of the F-Pace is a standard Jaguar affair - the large characteristic grill dominates the front of this small SUV. A sweeping roofline and short overhangs add character to this new SUV. At the rear, the long, slim tail lamps with horizontally flowing LED strips make the E-Pace look unmistakably Jaguar.

The cabin design is new, but reflects the same DNA as seen on other Jaguar models. Abundant infotainment and connectivity features are present to entice the audience. A 10-inch touchscreen housing the Jaguar’s InControl Touch Pro system will be offered as standard. Jaguar claims that the new chassis hardware developed for the E-Pace maximises its interior space while also providing the strong foundations for the vehicle's all-surface dynamic capabilities.

The latest baby SUV will take full advantage of JLR's newly developed 2.0-litre Ingenium range of petrol and diesel engines. These motors will produce variable power outputs between 148bhp - 297bhp on the E-Pace. A choice of front wheel drive or Jag’s Active Driveline AWD will be offered based on the engine version. A manual gearbox with six cogs or a 9-speed automatic will be offered as choices in the transmission department.

The Jaguar E-Pace is set to go on sale in the UK for a starting price of £28,500 (Rs. 23.8 lakh). The baby Jaguar SUV is surely India bound, but a concrete time frame for its Indian launch is not yet known. When launched, it will compete with the likes of Audi Q3 and BMW X1.