Enter an excited state: The 2019 Jaguar I-Pace

Jeff Glucker
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Jaguar is diving into the EV world. No, not with their E-Pace but with the I-Pace. Yes I agree, the naming convention is confusing. Regardless, what’s not confusing is the fact that 512 pound-feet of torque available from a dead stop is an intoxicating bit of engineering.

First Drive: Jaguar E-Pace

As more automakers bring ever more electric vehicles online, competition will breed greatness. More range, more power, and top-tier build quality are in store for the next generation of EVs. And there’s one at nearly all pricing segments for shoppers out there. On the lower end you have the (very good, FYI) Hyundai Kona Electric and the higher end is outfitted with the likes of the Tesla Model X, this Jaguar I-Pace, and a handful more are just over the horizon.

A week spent with the Jaguar I-Pace showed that the British automaker has put a lot of effort into making this car a strong first effort. There were no rattles. The in-cabin environment is delightfully quiet. That aforementioned thrust never gets old. Sure, the price is a bit high ($89k as tested) but that’s my only real complaint here.

Were I in the market for such a vehicle, there’s no question the I-Pace would be near the top of my shopping list.

[Disclaimer: Jaguar tossed us the keys to the I-Pace and included a fully charged battery pack. Additionally, they let us use their ChargePoint account to recharge when needed.]

About

Jeff Glucker

Jeff Glucker

Jeff Glucker is the co-founder and Executive Editor of Hooniverse.com. He’s often seen getting passed as he hustles a 1991 Mitsubishi Montero up the 405 Freeway. IG: @HooniverseJeff

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8 responses to “Enter an excited state: The 2019 Jaguar I-Pace”

  1. Sjalabais Avatar
    Sjalabais

    Wait, didn’t you start earlier videos by saying “I am an idiot”? Where is the consistency in this?

    Anyway, I drove behind one of these sunday night. Through a roundabout nearby here that is build in such a way that you can get through it quite fast. The driver floored it, which I anticipated, and I got my van into second and full throttle simultaneously. The Jaguar just swooshed away as if I had hit my brakes, instead of giving all I got. Tesla’s do that, too, but this one looked much better doing so.

    Media here though have been emphasizing the instant torque of EVs as treacherous for converts in early winter. As more people move to EVs, insurances report an uptick in minor damages due to violent acceleration on ice – and that’s despite all the nannies designed to avoid that.

    Reply
    1. outback_ute Avatar
      outback_ute

      They need to add a routine to the traction control that limits maximum wheel acceleration, for situations where there is no tyre friction to do so.

      Reply
      1. Sjalabais Avatar
        Sjalabais

        I thought that is a standard feature on basically every new car? In 2004, I was invited to test drive a bunch of Volvo’s that did just that. 15 years later, I expect such a feature to be universally applied – and I don’t expect “EV mums” to turn it off.

        Reply
        1. outback_ute Avatar
          outback_ute

          Yes traction control is basically universal but in this case if they only look at wheel speed and all the wheels are turning at the same rate, how is the car going to know that it is not moving that fast?

          Reply
          1. Sjalabais Avatar
            Sjalabais

            Ha, hadn’t thought of that. But that conundrum would only apply to AWD EVs.

  2. neight428 Avatar
    neight428

    Still want to drive one, but not bfore I can afford one that I like the look of, sorry Leaf and Kona.

    Reply
  3. salguod Avatar
    salguod

    The problem with the I-Pace is the looks. No, it’s not ugly, but with the beautiful flowing lines of the E-Pace and F-Pace, the I-Pace is disappointingly blocky and chunky. The shoulder is too high and the roof too low and what’s with the odd cut lines in the lower doors. It frankly looks like an engineering mule that hasn’t had its last dose of refinement, especially when compared to the elegance of its stablemates.

    Give me the I-Pace drive train in the E-Pace wrapper and you’ve got a winner.

    Reply
  4. nanoop Avatar
    nanoop

    Granted, they are British, but an additional confusion rises from the habit in many languages of pronouncing the letter “i” as “ee”, and “e” as “ae” like in “aerial”. You never know whether your conversation partner is using the local or English pronunciation. I can only imagine the struggles in Italy, where “pace” has a meaning, too. “Eye Peace”…

    Reply
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