Jaguar E-Pace: The Compact Performance SUV with Sports Car Looks

The new model draws inspiration from its larger brother, the F-Pace SUV, as well as the F-Type sports car, and features Jaguar’s latest in-car tech and advanced Ingenium petrol and diesel engines.

The more compact E-Pace keeps Jaguar’s bluff rounded rectangular grille but now uses swept-back headlights more akin to those on the F-Type sports car than the thinner ones on the F-Pace. Down the side, the E-Pace is shorter with the roof curving over the rear doors where it extends into the boot on the F-Pace.

The back end of the E-Pace features a pair of thin brake lights wrapping around the sides of the car. The haunch over the rear wheels is more pronounced on the E-Pace than the F-Pace giving it a more sporty stance similar to the F-Type, while optional 21-inch alloy wheels help fill out the wheel arches. R Dynamic models will use a sportier body kit along with extra gloss black and chrome detailing.

Inside, the E-Pace’s centre console is very similar to the F-Type’s, with a passenger grab handle flowing up into the console where the climate controls and infotainment screen are housed. There’s also Jaguar’s multi-function steering wheel and a 12.3-inch colour screen that replaces the traditional dials, while a colour head-up display projects your speed onto the inside of the windscreen.

Jaguar has built its reputation on cars that are fun to drive and the E-Pace is set to build on that legacy. Many of the E-Pace’s suspension components are made from aluminium to reduce weight over their steel equivalents and to increase stiffness. Adaptive suspension can be added from the options list and should enhance comfort or sportiness depending on whether you switch it to dynamic or comfort mode.

Four-wheel drive will be offered on a number of models throughout the range, although basic models will be front-wheel drive only. The four-wheel-drive system continuously monitors the car’s grip levels along with your inputs to generate optimal levels of traction for all four wheels in a variety of conditions.

From launch you’ll only be able to get the E-Pace with one of Jaguar’s four-cylinder turbo 2.0-litre Ingenium engines. Entry-level diesel models make 150hp that, with front-wheel drive, should give respectable acceleration and Jaguar claims average fuel economy of 60.1mpg. A mid-range 180hp version will also be offered while a top-spec 240hp twin-turbo version is fitted to top-spec cars and can cover 0-62mph in 7.4 seconds.

Entry-level models will cost from £28,500 while top-spec versions will cost more than £40,000.. Orders are open now, with deliveries expected at the start of 2018.