When I was offered to test drive the Jaguar I-PACE, I was honest enough to tell my in-house technical consultant (aka the husband) that I really didn’t know what it exactly was. He got really excited and it was him who told me that the I-PACE was an electric car.
Ok, I have driven some electric cars before but I needed some seat time to understand what the fuss is all about. So a trip to Nasugbu gave us the full experience.
It wasn’t your usual here’s the key and go. I had to sit down and get a full orientation on how the vehicle works. With my fuzzy mommy brain, I made sure I recorded what the guy from Jaguar said then asked the husband to watch it later.
Mindful mobility
Because the Jaguar is not a hybrid, you need to plan your trip and make sure your batteries have enough juice especially if you don’t have a charging station in your house. I didn’t want to join motoring media’s list of horror stories which might happen if I ran out of charge in the middle of a provincial road and call Jaguar Philippines for a towing vehicle. So we planned our stops well.
Surprising performance
It was sporadic that my husband would gush about cars, but the I-PACE test unit got him talking non-stop about how fast and responsive the car was. He was surprised with the power and handling. Its linear power delivery makes overtaking smooth and easy with the engine so quiet that it felt like a big golf cart with lots of power. If all supercars will be like this, people’s prejudice on electric cars (slow and lousy drives) will be gone.
The great handling of the I-PACE probably comes with its low center of gravity. Keeping the weight between the wheels with the battery sitting low between the axles, giving a 50:50 weight distribution. Two electric motors deliver power to where maximum grip is available among all four wheels. The body, made from alloy and steel, was designed to maintain downforce as the vehicle increases the speed.
Efficient energy use
Unlike cars with engines and gearboxes that can only deliver around 70-75% of what the engine can produce at the wheels, the I-PACE delivers 97% of electric power. The I-PACE powertrain produces 400 PS of power and 696 Nm of torque, capable of accelerating from zero to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds – all these figures without emissions.
Powering the I-PACE is a 90-kW lithium-ion high-voltage battery. Charging from zero to full would take 12 hours and 48 minutes using the bundled 7-kW charger, ideal for home charging. I-PACE is also capable of regenerative braking, which allows it to harness energy during deceleration.
Sophisticated Design
The I-pace looks like a very modern SUV or a big car. It’s very sleek, which I feel embodies the Jaguar namesake to a T. The design looks agile, efficient, and no need for ‘peacocking’. I like the wheels that come with it.
It has an impressive cockpit design which is one of its best features, giving you an extensive perspective on the road. The unconstricted view and overall luxury feel gives the interior a bright and airy feel. The seats are luxurious and have ample leg space. I was not too fond of its limited boot space since most of the compartment is occupied by the spare tire.
Options at the tip of your fingers
Before driving this car, I mentioned that I had to go through a lot of orientation due to the numerous driving options you can choose on its center console. You can change the ride height depending on the road conditions, the power of your braking to normal or more aggressive, and even the type of driving, eco, or sport. All these settings can be accessed in an easy-to-use touch screen interface.
Another worthwhile feature is that the Jaguar I-PACE allows you to connect your smart phone and pre cool your car before event entering. I love this because I hate going into a hot car or waiting outside for it to stop being like a sauna.
The all-electric Jaguar I-PACE comes at P7,590,000. An additional charger for second homes or offices costs P105,000. For more information, you can visit Jaguar Land Rover BGC Boutique Showroom located at 5th Avenue cor. 24th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. You can also book a virtual appointment now by contacting (02) 8784 5003 or +63 919 068 2798.
