Jaguar to launch all-electric i-Pace in 2018

Jaguar is set to launch its first ever electric car in 2018. The i-Pace - shown as a concept at the LA Motor Show this week - is a fully-electric high performance SUV with 400PS and a range of 310 miles.

Although still billed as a concept car, the production i-Pace won't be very different from the car you see here in terms of looks. And that means a design that will rival the much-delayed Tesla Model X which is just starting to arrive with customers.

The performance figures make for impressive reading with twin-electric motors producing 400PS along with 700Nm. The i-Pace is four-wheel drive and can accelerate from 0-60mph in just 4.0 seconds. 

The choice of high performance electric-only cars is currently limited to the Tesla range, with the Model S selling strongly. However, Audi is planning to launch its Q6 e-tron in 2018.

Jaguar is billing the i-Pace as offering 'precise, agile driving dynamics as yet unseen on an electric vehicle'. Although we're sure Tesla would argue with that.

 

Despite the influence of F-Pace in both the design and name, Jaguar says the i-Pace has been designed from a clean sheet of paper on a new platform.

The electric motors and 90kWh lithium-ion battery have both been developed in-house by Jaguar Land Rover. A full charge from a rapid charging point takes around two hours and gives between a 220 mile and 330 mile range - depending on whether you look at the US or European tests.

The interior features a virtual dash display, rotary controllers and a push button gear selector, along with natural wood finishes. There are also Jaguar paw prints stitched into the seams of the leather and Alcantara seats. Those wacky characters at Jaguar...

The dash has a 12-inch high res touchscreen that's designed to blend into the panel. The virtual full-colour instrument cluster can be configured in various displays and there's also a head-up display.

Jaguar's i-Pace should be practical too with a 530-litre boot along with an large 8-litre storage area in the centre console, helped by the absence of a traditional gear lever or transmission tunnel.

The production version of the i-Pace will be revealed in late 2017 before going on sale in 2018. Prices are rumoured to start at around £70,000.