By: IOL Motoring Staff
Knysna - Jaguar's publicity mavens have built a reputation for making spectacular arrivals with new models, but the South African debut of the company's first SUV reached new heights, literally.
The Jaguar F-Pace made its SA debut at the Simola Hillclimb by helicopter, tied down on a specially-built platform suspended from a Sikorsky S-61N, circling over Gasoline Alley and the competitor pits to give the thousands of spectators a good look at this breakaway model from what is better known as a luxury performance car brand.
After the helicopter crew set the F-Pace down at the top of the hill, home-grown Hollywood actor and Jaguar brand ambassador Sharlto Copley drove it down the hill for a photo opportunity in front of spectators, and then on to its display venue at the Simola Hotel.
In showrooms soon, four power options
The F-Pace, built primarily of aluminium and featuring Jaguar's sports-car suspension layout of double wishbones in front and integral links at the rear, is scheduled to land in South African showrooms from July 2016, but the order books are now open and the pricing has been announced (see below).
Local clients will have four engine options. Dieselheads can choose between a 132kW/430Nm 2-litre four and a 220kW/700Nm 3-litre V6 while those with petrol in their veins can only go high-end with a 3-litre supercharged V6 offered in two states of tune: 250kW/450Nm or 280kW/460Nm. A 2-litre turbopetrol from the new Ingenium family will become available at a later stage, along with a rear-wheel drive option.
AWD with RWD feel
For now all models shove their power through all four wheels through an eight-speed autobox and Jaguar's 'intelligent driveline dynamics' and 'torque vectoring by braking' systems. These send drive to where it'll have the most grip and retain the rear-wheel drive feel that one generally expects from a Jaguar, by minimising understeer.
F-Pace customers will get seating for five in heatable, power-adjustable front and rear seats and other noteworthy features include a 31cm inch virtual instrument cluster, a laser head-up display and a key fob you can wear - no more sticking your car key in your sock when you go jogging.
F-PACE PRICES
2.0 I4D Diesel 132kW Pure - R778 966
2.0 I4D Diesel 132kW R-Sport - R871 266
3.0 TDV6 Diesel 220kW Pure - R942 646
3.0 TDV6 Diesel 220kW R-Sport - R1 034 846
3.0 TDV6 Diesel 220kW S - R1 099 646
3.0 TDV6 Diesel 220kW First Edition - R1 222 546
3.0 S/C Petrol 250kW Pure - R993 116
3.0 S/C Petrol 250kW R-Sport - R1 085 046
3.0 S/C Petrol 280kW S - R1 201 246