2018 Jaguar E-Pace sub-compact crossover debuts

Jaguar has launched a new sub-compact crossover to accompany the F-Pace in its lineup. The new model called the E-Pace will lock horns with the trio from Germany, Mercedes GLA, Audi Q3 and the BMW X1. Loosely based on the Range Rover Evoque as both are front-wheel-drive-based platforms, the E-Pace is expected to hone Jaguar’s appeal to the crossover buyers.

The design of the Jaguar E-Pace is not just a downsized version of the bigger rear-wheel-drive-based F-Pace. Instead, Jaguar has borrowed some ques from its sports car, the F-Type, to aid in making the E-Pace look as sharp as it is. The headlights make this link quite obvious from the front. The sides look sharp with the coupe like window line and the bulging rear haunches that are complemented by optional 21-inch alloy wheels. At the rear, the E-Pace shows off the relation to its bigger brother, with the rear lights, deeply raked rear window, close fitted spoiler and the twin exhausts.

Here too, some cues from the F-Type like the grab handle next to the centre console, steering wheel and the gear shifter. A Jaguar Touch Pro infotainment system comes standard with a 10-inch capacitive touchscreen system. It offers 4G connectivity, 8 WiFi hotspots and a bunch of apps. The instrument panel is a 12.3-inch TFT unit which is coupled with a Head-up display. The wheelbase of the E-Pace is stretched compared to the Evoque, liberating more room in the interior. The rear offers 577 litres of space with the seats up.

Motors for the E-Pace include two petrol engines and three diesel engines. All of them are 2.0-litre four-cylinder Ingenium units and they output 246 and 296 hp in the petrol guises. The diesels produce outputs of 150, 180, and 240 hp. A nine-speed automatic will be hooked up to these units, and a six-speed manual will also be offered for markets that want it. Every model except the front-wheel-drive base diesel will be offered with four-wheel drive. The Haldex four-wheel drive system in the more powerful models, dubbed “Active Driveline” by Jaguar, sends out power equally to the four wheels while giving a rear-wheel-drive feel. The suspension is derived from the XF sedan. Adding up all these, the flagship model can crack the 0-100 kph run in just over 6 seconds.

The E-Pace will be available in two flavors, a standard model and the R-Design model, the latter of which is shown here in the pictures. On top of this, three specification packs are offered along with a bunch of options to tick.

Once it comes to the UAE in GCC-spec form by early next year, expect starting prices to hover around the Dhs 160,000 mark, topping out at Dhs 260,000 for the top R-Design version.