ON TEST: JAGUAR I-PACE
www.companycarandvan.co.uk
Revamped I-PACE still packs loads of driver appeal Upgraded tech and improvements help keep exciting SUV a real contender, says Andrew Walker
S
ince we first drove the Jaguar I-PACE three years ago, an awful lot can happen. Brexit, Covid and a raft of new electric cars have come to market, threatening the electric Jaguar which, back in 2018, was well ahead of the pack. It was no surprise when Jaguar decided to make some improvements and the updated I-Pace arrives with us last month So what’s new? Outside, there’s some subtle trim updates and a new bright pack, which makes the 2021 model visually distinctive from its predecessor. Inside, tech updates, with an improved Pivi Pro infotainment system, featuring Pivi Pro Connected inside, stand out, along with a 10.25” touchscreen display; a 12.3” Interactive Driver Display is carried over from before. Elsewhere, JLR’s Clearsight rear camera system has been added. The system works by feeding a high-definition wide-angle view from a roof-mounted camera on to the rear-view mirror, giving the driver an unobstructed view of the rear. We first experienced this in the Mk2 Evoque and it’s brilliant, if at first a little disconcerting. The image on the mirror is so clear it doesn’t look real and is even better in the dark.
www.companycarandvan.co.uk
The other main change is with charging. The I-PACE now comes with a new three-phase 11kW inbuilt charger. This means that you can fully charge the battery in just 8.5 hours and is a real bonus as it means you can plug-in overnight, to take advantage of discounted night-time charging rates. Exterior When it came out the I-PACE really stood out from the crowd. Somehow, Jaguar has managed to keep the Jaguar ID, for example, with the front grille, while simultaneously adding a massive air vent to the bonnet to make the I-PACE more aerodynamic and totally unique. Plainly, they considered the competition and back in 2018, it was Tesla’s Model X. Since then, however, the competition, namely the Germans, have been catching up, but to be fair to Jaguar, the squat and muscular I-PACE still turns heads wherever you go. Specification We were testing the entry level I-PACE 400PS Electric S, which comes very well equipped. It features Luxtec synthetic leather sports seats, 19” five-split spoke gloss dark grey alloys, electric cabin pre conditioning, LED head and tail lights, follow me home lighting, flush exterior door handles, Jaguar Drive Control, Pivi Pro connected, a smartphone pack for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Meridian sound system, cruise control, lane keep assist and a rear camera. Charging equipment includes a 7kW charger cable, which went straight into my Rolec home set up and a multi-function 32A charging cable,
which will plug in to a domestic socket. Inside, the quality of all of the visible surfaces is excellent. Some nice touches include a light Oyster Morzine headlining, as the cabin can be quite dark, metal tread plates with Jaguar script and an ebony interior. Passengers will be pleased with the generous head and leg room in both the front and rear, and the cabin cocoons you in a happy way. Three adults will fit into the rear with decent legroom but shoulder space will be a little tight. The centre console has been hollowed out, with a hidden space underneath, just big enough for a small bag. This section also contains two USB charging ports. In the rear, there’s trays beneath the rear seats, which are the perfect size for storing an iPad or laptop plus, rear passengers also get twin USB ports and a 12v socket. The central armrest has a 10-litre cubby underneath with a further two USB ports inside plus another 12v socket. In front of this there’s two drinks spaces and a clever rectangular fitting for your mobile phone. Both front door pockets are a decent size and will each take a small bottle. The way that the I-PACE has been designed, means there’s an excellent amount of boot space, with 656 litres on offer. Drop the rear seats down and this goes up to a more than useful 1,453 litres. The two charging cables are stored under the boot’s flat floor and, of course, as there’s no engine, you get a few litres of storage space at the front under the bonnet.
Continued on page 22 Company Car & Van | December 2021 | 21
