Making its first, rather hidden Malaysian preview at the inaugural paultan.org Premium Auto Car Expo (PACE) is the Jaguar E-Pace, Coventry’s most compact SUV yet. Having first made its global debut in July last year, the E-Pace steps into a well-populated segment which includes the likes of the BMW X1 and the Audi Q3.
Said to draw inspiration from the F-Type sports car, the E-Pace is currently slated for a Malaysian market launch around late Q1/early Q2 next year, when it will come in a sole 2.0L AWD variant. The 2.0 litre Ingenium petrol produces 249 PS and 365 Nm of torque, which sends drive to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic. In this guise, the E-Pace achieves a 0-100 km/h sprint time of seven seconds.
The E-Pace is underpinned by the same platform used for the Land Rover Discovery Sport, and the junior Jag’s chassis is based on the Integral Link rear suspension concept developed for the F-Pace. This layout separates longitudinal and lateral forces, which should provide the combination of responsive steering and handling with comfort and refinement.
Measuring 4,395 mm long with a 2,681 mm wheelbase, the E-Pace accommodates 480 litres of luggage capacity; this can be expanded to 1,234 litres by folding the rear seats.
Stowage is given considerable thought by Jaguar in the E-Pace, where its 8.42 litre centre console compartment can house four large water bottles, the automaker says, complemented by configurable cupholders and trays. Its glovebox holds 10.07 litres, while the front and rear door bins each holds 10.56 litres and 8.26 litres, respectively. There are also four 12-volt charging points and five USB ports.
Cabin design also draws inspiration from the F-Type, starting with the dashboard architecture where the front passenger grab handle forms the boundary of the driver console.
Previewed here in Firenze Red with a black interior, there will be 10 exterior colours available on the E-Pace palette, according to sales staff. LED headlamps with daytime running lights (DRLs) feature at the sharp end while full LED taillights feature at the opposing end, while the 20-inch, five-split-spoke ‘Style 5051’ wheels in satin grey seen here are optional.
Also optional and like its larger F-Pace sibling, the E-Pace can be specified with the Black Pack; this brings a Santorini Black finish to the car’s side vents, front grille and grille surround.
Inside, the E-Pace features the InControl Touch Pro infotainment unit with a 10-inch touchscreen, which includes a rear view camera. Active safety on the E-Pace includes lane departure warning with lane keep assist, along with a Driver Condition Monitor. Ventilation is courtesy of two-zone climate control. Pricing is estimated to be in the RM400,000 ballpark, subject to final government approval, according to sales staff.
GALLERY: Jaguar E-Pace at the 2018 Bangkok Motor Show
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I thought the Jaguar E-pace means electrick F-pace..lol!!!