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It's an accomplished electric vehicle that's barely average among luxury SUVs because of faults that have nothing to do with the innovative zero-emission transmission in its heart.
Transcription of a hands-free phone call when testing a vehicle:
Me: Paul? You are free?
A: I have one minute left before a conference call.
Me: I want to check what you think about the I-Pace Jaguar. I drive one and I hate it so much that I want to make it crash against a wall.
A what? I loved this vehicle. I'll call you back in half an hour.
Paul is Paul Eisenstein, a car writer and a peer whose opinions I respect, but whom I do not always share. The kind of person to call when thinking about aiming for a $ 86,000 electric luxury electric vehicle on a bridge pier rather than spending an extra minute trying to adjust the air conditioning fan speed.
This kind of conversation is the scourge of automakers, who are trying to reinvent themselves with electric vehicles, autonomous robotic cars, on-demand vehicles and other new challenges. Some behave as it was unfair to expect that they create new types of vehicles and simultaneously offer features that we take for granted in cars and SUVs. aujourd & # 39; hui.
The Jaguar I-Pace 2018, the first electric vehicle of the brand – if we do not count the unique pieces built for royal weddings and so on. – is a perfect and sometimes exasperating example. It's an accomplished electric vehicle that's barely average among luxury SUVs because of faults that have nothing to do with the innovative zero-emission transmission in its heart.
By the way, Eisenstein has never called back. It's Paul, but he'd given me what I needed: a reminder that a technology fan who early adopted could love a vehicle that reduced me to the size of my car. obscenity when I was trying to make a simple phone call.
Maybe you are this tech fan. Clearly, I am not.
Here is the truth about the new electric Jag.
Driving
4×4 luxury five-wheel drive
Price as tested: $ 85,900 (excluding destination fees)
Note: Two out of four stars
Reasons to buy: electric power, appearance, acceleration
Gaps: frustrating climate controls, poor integration of smartphones, poor voice recognition
How many?
The I-Pace uses a brand new architecture developed by Jaguar Land Rover for its upcoming electric vehicles. Sales have just started around the world. First deliveries to US customers are expected in November.
All I-Paces have two AWD electric motors, one on each axle. They produce 396 horsepower and 512 lb-ft of torque. The I-Pace for five pbadengers is a compact sport utility vehicle.
US prices will start at $ 69,500. I have tested a first high-end edition of I-Pace. It was equipped with a 360-degree camera, an adaptive cruise control, 20-inch wheels, a Meridian 825-watt audio system, a leather interior, and a A bonnet lining, a heated steering wheel, a blind spot badist system, badistance in maintaining the lane, of navigation, liftgate, etc.
It cost $ 85,900. All prices exclude destination fees.
At 184.3 inches long, it's 2 inches shorter than the conventional F-Pace SUV.
If you are determined to buy a luxury electric SUV, there is not much competition for the I-Pace. The Tesla X is over a foot long and costs a lot more when the equipment is comparable. The Audi E-tron SUV will not be on sale until the second quarter of 2019 and has a length of 8.7 inches. The other announced luxury electric SUV, the Mercedes EQC, will not be available until 2020.
If you are looking for a conventional but technically advanced luxury SUV, you are spoiled for choice.
Power and scope
The electric transmission of the I-Pace offers impressive performance. The acceleration hits the head with an announced time of 4.5 seconds between 0 and 60 mph, despite the empty weight of 4,857 pounds of I-Pace. That's several hundred pounds more than non-electric SUVs, but 600 pounds lighter than the larger Tesla X.
The weight of the I-Pace is split 50-50 on the front and rear axles. Despite an air suspension, there is a strong tendency to stand on his legs in sudden acceleration.
Regenerative braking captures power as soon as you release the throttle, making normal braking unnecessary in many cases. Brakes are more conventional in dynamic mode.
The US Government's official fuel economy website does not list the range or loading time of I-Pace at the time of writing this article.
Until they are available, Jag predicts a range of 234 miles on a charge and 12.9 hours for a full charge at 230 volts. And 10.1 hours will allow you to recharge 80% of the lithium-ion battery of 90 kWh.
The wrong side
If all the new technologies work well, why am I like a lemming looking for a cliff? Jaguar should have already mastered many features.
The I-Pace joins the long list of regrettable attempts by automakers to reinvent controls that were already working well. The cabin temperature, the fan speed and the heated and air – conditioned front seats are only controlled by two dials: one for the driver, the other for the pbadenger. In a ballet with fingers almost impossible without leaving the road eyes, you adjust the temperature by turning the dial; fan pushing the dial in a fraction of an inch and turning; and the temperature of the seat by pulling the dial on that same smidgeon and turning it.
If this sounds confusing, try doing it at 60 mph without looking. This is a useless test of fine motor control when a few dials and buttons are enough.
Plus, Jaguar wants smartphone users – is not it everyone? – to download a difficult application called In Control rather than offering the refined Apple CarPlay or Android Auto interfaces.
Voice recognition also works poorly.
Other, simpler vehicles that do not claim to be technological showcases, offer these features better. The poor performance of the I-Pace undermines the things that she does well.
Tested specifications
Motor: Two electric motors, one on each axle
Power: 396 horses; 512 lb-ft of torque
Transmission: automatic at a speed
Wheelbase: 117.7 inches
Length: 184.3 inches
Width: 79.1 inches
Curb weight: 4,857 pounds
It's sure it's pretty, though.
The I-Pace has a long, low profile and a low roof for a sporty look that is both new and consistent with other Jaguars. The gaping wheel arches are filled with large, low-profile tires.
Surprisingly, given that no engine needs cooling under the hood, the I-Pace has a large grille for a nose that will seem familiar to fans of the brand. Tesla, on the other hand, chose nose without grille for a unique face.
The interior is wrapped in high quality materials. The low roof and small door openings make the I-Pace more difficult to enter and exit than other SUVs of its size.
Main characteristics of the vehicle tested
Standard equipment: anti-lock brakes; stability control; pneumatic suspension; leather seats and interior trim; push button start; USB port; automatic air conditioning; Power Seats; memory for driver settings; fixed sunroof; 360 degree camera; adaptive cruise control; blind spot warning; Lane Departure Alert; Parking badistance; recognition of signs; navigation; speech Recognition; Bluetooth enabled; hill start aid; autonomous emergency braking; emergency braking badistance; ash veneer; heated steering wheel; Heated and refreshing front seats with 18 settings; memory for driver and pbadenger settings; Meridian audio of 825 watts; 20 "split spoke wheels.
Options: None.
Verdict
Do you want an imperfect but promising electric luxury SUV or a polished luxury SUV? What is your frustration threshold with poorly executed controls?
As for me and my friend Paul, the answer to these questions will determine if the I-Pace is for you.
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