I recently tested a Jaguar F-Pace for a week and 900ks. The F-Pace which is Jaguar's first foray into the luxury crossover SUV class was formally announced at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and went on sale in 2016. The car is built at Jaguar Land Rover's Solihull plant in the UK.
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What do you get for your money? The answer is, plenty! The road test F-Pace was driven by a three litre twin turbo V6 diesel. It develops 220Kw (295bhp) and impressive 700Nm of torque. The engine has four operational modes -Eco, Dynamic, Normal and Winter.
The car's performance is more in line with a supercar than an SUV accelerating to 100kph in just 6.2 seconds with a stated top speed of 240kph (the same as the legendary E Type). It drives via a ZF eight-speed transmission. (As in the F Type.) Fuel economy of my test car was a very acceptable 7.6l/100ks.
Occupants are kept safe by a wad of active and passive safety options including autonomous emergency braking and lane departure warning, front and rear parking sensors, dynamic stability control & traction control, reversing camera, reverse traffic detector, blind spot monitor, adaptive surface response and six airbags.
At this point the F-Pace has not been rated by ANCAP.
This is a luxury SUV. With this in mind Jaguar have catered for buyers well. The F-Pace included Sports Taurus leather seats, 14 way electronic front seats, dual zone climate controlled air, sunroof, 12.3 inch HD virtual instrument display, SatNav, Meridian sound system, cooled glovebox and the very good heads up display.
The test car came with $29,680 worth of options.
Putting all the razamataz aside - how does the car drive? Well, actually more like a sports sedan than an SUV. I anoted another tester called it 'the sports car of SUV's' and I'd have to agree.
The technology together with the all wheel drive allows the F-Pace to negotiate twisty roads both wet and dry with safety and confidence. Little body lean is evident from such a large vehicle. Handling is crisp and precise. The seats are supremely comfortable, ride firm but acceptable.
Rear seats are enormous with more than adequate room for two large adults or three children. You certainly won't complain about luggage space either.
Overall Jaguar has entered the medium luxury SUV market with a winner. Check it out before buying. Drive away price of the test F-Pace $13,2815 + ORC.
My rating 8/10
A postscript to this story is the F-Pace has been awarded 2017 Best and Most Beautiful Car in the World at the New York International Auto Show.
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