We put the storied English car manufacturer's first all-electric SUV to the test to see how it fares on Singapore's roads
The race to electrification has caused massive disruption in the automotive industry. Some marques have found this need to shift from developing internal combustion engines to electric motors challenging, primarily due to the huge investment they have already made in the former technology, while others saw opportunities.
Jaguar belongs to the latter group and consequently unveiled the I-Pace, its very first fully electric car in 2018, before most of its European rivals. (The model officially debuted at the Singapore Motorshow this January.)
The earlier electric cars such as the 2009 Mitsubishi i-MiEV, 2010 Nissan Leaf and 2013 BMW i3 largely resembled caricatures, but the Jaguar I-Pace crossover SUV bucks the trend and boasts a sporty aesthetic that is pleasing to the eye. It features an emotive exterior anchored by a chiselled silhouette, bold grille, sloping roofline and slim LED head and rear lights.
It is also tall and big enough to accommodate a large battery package safely under its cabin without encroaching on passenger space. Though its kerb weight is a hefty 2,670kg—a third of which is due to the batteries—being heavy has never been an issue for the SUV genre.
(Related: The Porsche 718 Boxster And Cayman Is Going Electric By 2022)
The I-Pace’s large-capacity 90kWh battery holds enough energy to give it a maximum range of 470km, which is about the same as that of a petrol-driven SUV of the same size and weight. All four of its wheels are powered by a pair of powerful electric motors, which produce nearly 400hp and a massive 696Nm of torque.
While this does not sound like a lot when compared to that of current turbocharged engines, electric motors behave differently. To be precise, they are far more efficient and effective. While a petrol engine needs to be attached to a gearbox and revved up high to produce useable power and torque, an electric motor produces maximum torque at zero rpm.
(Related: Hyundai Makes Waves As It Changes The Game For Electric Cars In Singapore)
Another appealing aspect of an electric car is the lack of any gear change. Unlike conventional petrol vehicles, most electric vehicles come with only a single gear, instead of a multi-gear transmission. For the I-Pace, this equates to an incredibly quick acceleration speed that enables it to overtake other cars on the road much easier.