By: Jesse Adams
Port Elizabeth - Jaguar may have come late to the SUV party, but it’s arrived in fine style. Quite the snappy dresser, most will agree. But what substance lies beneath the new F-Pace’s sexy getup?
This is Jag’s first ever stab at the high-riding genre, but it didn’t exactly start with a blank sheet of paper to get here. The F-Pace comes from rich stock – its aluminium-based bloodline passed on from current XE and XF sedans. Those cars have shared their lightweight chassis structures and integral-link rear-suspension systems with the F-Pace, and its double-wishbone front setup is modelled on that in the F-Type sportscar range. From the outset this is an SUV designed more for Sport than for Utility, and though it can do a bit of bush trekking, it’s really intended more for spirited on-road driving. Jag’s chassis and suspension engineers benchmarked its nearest rival, the Porsche Macan, during F-Pace development and some of the trick bits which make it such a good handler were actually learned from its German competitor.
Though the Macan is closest in terms of appeal, size comparisons can be drawn from any number of mid-size SUVs including Audi’s Q5, Merc’s GLC and BMW’s X3. Price-wise, however, it takes on bigger vehicles like Q7, X5, GLE and even Cayenne.
Jaguar says it doesn’t expect its availability to cannibalise sales from within the JLR camp, but it’s hard not to imagine Evoque clientele being drawn to the newcomer. I’d also put money on some Disco Sport owners trading up to the posher F-Pace too.
Three engines to choose from
Locally the F-Pace is offered with three engines, starting with an Ingenium-labelled 2-litre turbodiesel. It’s the same latest generation motor as in the XE and XF, with identical 132kW and 430Nm outputs. I drove this model for a short highway stint at last week’s Port Elizabeth-based press launch, and found it delivered good low-rev torque and high-gear cruisability. It is a bit noisier than rival engines at idle though, and it runs out of puff at high rpm. This model performs best with drive modes left in Normal or Eco settings.
Next is a 3-litre V6 turbodiesel with 220kW and a mighty 700Nm. Jag claims 0-100km/h in 6.2 seconds with an average fuel consumption of around 6l/100km. The car I drove at launch showed a figure closer to 10, though admittedly that was a result of a heavy right foot. This high-performance diesel is my pick of the range, for its massive grunt and chilled out demeanour.
A supercharged V6 petrol familiar from many other JLR products comes in two varieties – either with 250kW/450Nm, or a full fat 280kW version with the same torque. Jag says 0-100km/h comes in 5.8 or 5.5 seconds respectively, both with governed top speeds of 250km/h. Both supercharged variants are excellent performers, if not a little high-strung for day-to-day commuting. I was also surprised how different it sounds to the F-Type with the same engine. Much more blower whine here, where the F-Type trumpets loudly from its exhaust.
AWD only for SA
Overseas the F-Pace is sold with an option of rear-wheel drive, but all South African models are equipped with all-wheel drive as standard. It’s a variable system that sends 90% of power to the rear wheels in normal conditions, but can apportion 90% to the front on slippery surfaces.
Torque vectoring can also brake inside rear wheels to aid in high-speed cornering. An eight-speed automatic is the only gearbox option.
I drove all F-Pace variants on a wide variety of roads, including the Aldo Scribante racetrack, and it really is a stunning handler. Grip is immense, and it’s able to disguise its high centre of gravity well. Surprisingly it performs remarkably well on gravel roads too, even with the lowest possible profile 22-inch tyres. Wheel sizes range from 18 to 22 inches, but tyre roar is an issue with the bigger sets.
The F-Pace launch also coincides with the introduction of Jag’s new Incontrol Touch Pro infotainment/navigation system – a 10.2-inch colour touchscreen coupled with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster (similar to Audi’s Virtual Cockpit). Without it there’s a normal 8-inch display (common to other Jags) and traditional needle gauges. At between 27 and 34 grand (depending on model) it’s a very expensive, but very cool, option. You’ll still need to fork out even more for an 825W Meridian sound system, internet connectivity, an onboard wifi hotspot, and a smartphone app which allows remote starting among other things. Expect this hi-tech system to roll out into other Jaguars soon.
Also optional is a R4300 Activity Key, which allows you to lock and unlock the car via a waterproof bracelet (a surfer’s dream).
A very limited run of F-Pace First Editions come bundled with many pricey options as standard, as well as two colour choices – Caesium Blue and Halcyon Gold – not available on other variants.
JAGUAR F-PACE PRICES
2.0D 132kW Pure – R778 966
2.0D 132kW R-Sport – R871 266
3.0 TDV6 220kW Pure – R942 646
3.0 TDV6 220kW R-Sport – R1 034 846
3.0 TDV6 220kW S – R1 099 646
3.0 TDV6 220kW First Edition – R1 222 546
3.0 SC 250kW Pure – R993 116
3.0 SC 250kW R-Sport – R1 085 046
3.0 SC 280kW S – R1 201 246
3.0 SC 280kW First Edition – R1 331 416