REGAL, class, size and power are just some of the words often used to describe the Jaguar brand.
Collectively, this theme also unfortunately pivots heavily towards a more mature crowd. Huge executive class-looking cars with a business-luxe flair don't exactly scream youthfulness.
Jaguar vehicles are also known to be petrol guzzlers. This is not what you want to be associated with when others of the non-sport, non-hypercar and non-ultra-luxury varieties are either about sustainability or fuel economy.
For years, like many British and European auto brands, the Big Cat has been trying to turn its image around and appeal to the younger generation.
All of that has led to the development of the 2023 I-Pace. In today's highly competitive market, the model is a step in the right direction for Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia (JLR).
SHOCKINGLY SAVVY
The award-winning all-electric performance sport utility vehicle (e-SUV) was created ground-up with the brand's first premium performance EV in mind.
The two variants, Black LE and the HSE, house the same dual Jaguar-designed electric motors at each axle to produce a combined 400PS and 696Nm of torque.
It can accelerate from zero to 100kph in 4.8 seconds and complete a 400m sprint in 12.4 seconds.
It is complemented by an All Surface Progress Control (ASPC), open differentials with brake-activated torque vectoring, hill launch assist, low traction launch and electronic stability control.
With a range of up to 470km (WLTP), its 90kWh battery can achieve a 125km top-up range in 15 minutes through 100kW DC charging.
An hour's charge with the AC 11kW wall box will give it 53km (WLTP) range, and 8.6 hours for a zero to 100 per cent charge.
The driver assistance systems include autonomous emergency braking, cruise control with speed limiter, driver condition monitor, traffic sign recognition with adaptive speed limiter, lane keep assist, rearview camera, and front and rear parking aid sensors.
The standard exterior features include LED self-levelling headlamps and daytime running lights with follow-me-home function, LED tail lamps and rear fog lamps, heated and power-folding door mirrors with self-dimming on the driver's side, flush-retracting door handles, an acoustic windscreen and rain-sensing wipers, gloss black lower front blades and door cladding.
In the cabin are a leather-trimmed multi-function steering wheel, two-zone climate control, a self-dimming rear-view mirror, under-seat storage for the second row, rear armrest, and an air quality sensor. The rear seats have 40:20:40 split folding.
Integrated with the latest Pivi Pro infotainment system, the interior is completed with a 12.3-inch high-definition virtual instrument cluster, 10-inch and five-inch upper and lower touchscreens featuring multi-function haptic rotary controllers at the dashboard, and a wireless device charging pad.
The two variants differ mostly on the aesthetic end with minor differences in features.
While both variants run on 20-inch "Style 5068" alloy wheels, the Black LE has them in gloss black while the HSE has them in gloss dark grey with a contrasting diamond-turned finish.
The suspensions are different as well, with the Black LE having coil springs on passive damping and the HSE having electronically controlled air suspension.
The Black LE variant is upholstered with duo leather trim and sports front seats.
The HSE gets Windsor Leather and performance specification 14-way electrically adjustable front seats with heating and cooling.
The audio in the cabin for the HSE is upgraded with the Meridian 3D surround sound system over the Black LE's stock standard.
The Jaguar I-Pace Black LE is priced from RM460,800 and the HSE from RM498,800.
The prices come with a comprehensive warranty coverage period of five years or 150,000km (whichever comes first) and three-year roadside assistance.
Additionally, it includes complimentary servicing of up to five years or 102,000km, as well as a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) traction battery warranty of up to eight years or 160,000km (whichever comes first).
FLASH FORWARD
Even at a glance, you could tell that the I-Pace is not your average Jag. The classy design language has mostly evolved into something a lot more sporty and sprite-ly.
If not for its grille, name and logo, this writer would never have guessed that it was a Jaguar.
From the side, it looks like a Japanese hot hatch and matched with the grille, there are throwback hints to the prime days of the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) body frames that have been updated with the modern-day silhouette strokes.
Think of Evo Lancers and Subaru Imprezzas of the WRX variety from the 1990s to 2000s. To this writer, what sells it is how the e-SUV looks more like a hot hatch car in general, which ramps up the sporty factor to another level.
The model isn't that large either when you compare it to the usual Jag dimensions. While it may not seem like it, the I-Pace is still heavy, though, at around two tonnes.
The floating pillar console at the centre that sits just below the infotainment screen may need some getting used to just because of the many buttons and knob touchpoints located there. We're talking about gear selection, driver assist functions, air conditioning, seat ventilation and heating, and even a mini-screen display.
Pushing and pulling the knobs will give you access to different functions that you may need.
Oddly enough, during this writer's time with the car, some common functions that were supposed to display themselves on the main infotainment screen didn't automatically appear and had to be manually prompted via voice command - which I personally feel is a more superior or preferable way to access many of the car's features.
Less of an issue, and more of a peeve, is the vast dashboard top that takes up quite a lot of space. It isn't a particularly long car and so, it does make me wonder if more space could be given to the legroom.
The drive itself is a "hybrid" of sorts, though not in a powertrain sense.
You get the power and comfort of a Jaguar but with steering sensibilities akin to Japanese cars. The handling and agility gel very well with the brand's new electric platform.
Depending on who you ask and how they drive, the e-SUV's battery can drain rather quickly if you're doing the distance on highways. That said, 470km is a very good range to work with and there will be no problem going around the city for a few days without charging.
VERDICT
In the mighty auto jungle, the I-Pace is wide awake and ready to rumble.
It is highly competent as an EV (one of the most fun in the current market as well) and has a brand new take from its design language to drive experience.
Jaguars always had the power. Now it's also getting the moves and sustainability to back it up.
But that's not all the Big Cat has up its sleeves. Aside from being the most technologically advanced Jaguar in the market and the only Jaguar EV on sale, the I-Pace is also the most affordable Jaguar thanks to tax exemptions on EVs.
If the latter is a concern, then this makes the I-Pace extra appealing for the budget-conscious who want a bang for their buck.
That quality alone makes the entire package a bargain. When you top up with everything else, it is hard to glare at its negatives.
A lot of the I-Pace's details come together as if lightning has struck more than twice, making this a Jaguar worth leaping into for both new and returning customers to the brand.