Review: Jaguar iPace 294kW EV400 HSE 90kWh

All electric cars are ugly and unusable?

Surely electric cars are just a short-term fad and won’t really catch on, we hear you say!

^{Exterior of the Corris Grey Jaguar I-Pace}

When electric cars first started to gain popularity the manufacturers went down the room of creating something unique, different and “futuristic”. In particular, some of the vehicles were very cube-like and looked more likely to appear in a science fiction film than on the UK roads.

While manufacturers felt the concept approach was the right way to raise awareness, it really led to alienation of customers as the jump from combustion to electric is already a big one; if the cars look very different too, are customers going to be prepared to make such significant changes? Thankfully, logical heads have paved the way for some very generic cars which instead of being petrol/diesel are in fact fully electric. You only have to look at a Tesla Model 3, Kia e-Niro, VW ID.3 and even this, the Jag I-Pace, to see that more standard options are being produced to satisfy a growing market.

^{Interior of the Jag I-Pace HSE}

The shape and style of cars has been established and the range of products is amazing for a customer; rather than reinvent a wheel, the automotive industry is just building upon an already successful formula.

So are electric cars just short-term? Is this a nice distraction from Brexit? The last 2 years has seen a number of pros v cons for electric cars. On one side, the more sceptical customer has seen this as a short-term reaction to WLTP, RDE and emission targets, where manufacturers are effectively being forced to amend their fleets by adding electric cars to their combustion options.

The initial expense of electric cars has led some customers to feel they are being over-charged for an unnecessary item. With economies of scale, the cost price of electric vehicles will continue to reduce; the initial vehicles were very much a more expensive option.

Does anyone remember the Vauxhall Ampera!! Saying to a customer you are going to have to pay more for a less attractive vehicle certainly takes some sales ability. The volume of manufacturers going into electric is reducing battery costs (which are the key factor) and are therefore producing vehicles at a more affordable level. Remember, that not all customers are large corporate companies with a million pound car budget; we are trying to encourage individuals to reconsider their vehicle choices and in a situation of every penny counting, cost needs some consideration.

But don’t electric cars stop working without charge?

Yes. Yes they do. Not unlike a petrol or diesel vehicle, if you don’t fuel it, the vehicle won’t work. The term “range-anxiety” is becoming less and less popular, due to the massive increase of home, public and work-based charge points coupled with better quality batteries.

Some vehicle are now able to cover anywhere between 250 to 350 miles on a full charge.

Unless you are regularly covering long motorway style journey in excess of 20,000 miles per annum, you should not automatically discount the electric car option.

On a local level, TFGM are looking to introduce 24 rapid charge points across the Manchester region during 2019 and around 160 charge points dedicated for taxi and private hire. Other cities and local authorities are following this method, particularly as Clean Air Zones are going to lead to some customers being charged to enter. You either make a change or you pay for it.

In a recent GM Chamber survey, it was no surprise that small businesses were raising rang-anxiety as their main concern (with cost and vehicle choice as their next ones). The team at e-car lease try to make our customers aware of the range of vehicles, their battery abilities and the range of charge point available to them and their workplace. The only real concern, is whether or not the UK’s national grid and electric charge infrastructure is ready for all of this? That is another debate in its entirety.

Still not sure of what fuel choice to use?

Just head over to CarLease UK to consider whether or not an eco-car is the one for you, or the business.

While leasing is a great way to fix your risk for 2, 3 or 4 years while you work out if the engine type is everything you thought it would be, not everyone’s personal circumstances will be suitable. As ever, do your research and don’t make a decision based on the monthly rental alone!

Details of the new Jaguar I-PACE Estate 294kW EV400 HSE 90kWh 5 Door Auto the eCarLease team delivered

In terms of the car shown, the Jaguar I-PACE Estate 294kW EV400 HSE 90kWh 5 Door Auto (Pure Electric Vehicle), this is based on the following configuration:

• Corris Grey Metallic Paint
• Windsor leather - Light Oyster with Ebony/Light Oyster Interior + Sport Seats
• Light Oyster Morzine headlining
• Gloss Black Trim Finisher
• 20" 5 Spoke Gloss Dark Grey with Contrast Diamond Turned Finish Alloy Wheels - Style 5068
• Head Up Display
• Fixed Panoramic Glass sunroof
• Front Fog Lights
• Privacy Glass
• 18-Way Electric Heated and Cooled Front Seats with Memory and Heated Rear Seats
• Cabin Air Ionisation
• Four Zone Climate Control
• Soft Grain Leather Sport Steering Wheel
• Activity Key
• Adaptive Dynamics
• Adaptive Surface Response (ASR)
• Electronic Air Suspension
• Chrome Window Side Surrounds

Equipment for the top of the line Jaguar I-Pace

As standard the top of the line I-Pace will offer 20” alloys, climate control, body coloured external, coil suspension, Windsor leather, heated steering wheel, soft leather steering wheel, ambient interior lighting,. 18-way electric heated and cooled seats with memory, heated front and rear windscreen, heated washer jets, rain sensing wipers, solar attenuating front and rear windscreen, DSC, emergency brake assist, hill launch assist, brake regeneration, low traction launch, apply car play/android auto, Bluetooth, 36- parking aid, 36- parking camera, lane keep assist, blind spot assist, park assist, traffic sign recognition, push button starter, auto dimming rear view mirror, 7kW charger, DAB radio, Meridian sound system, tailgate spoiler, automatic headlight levelling, LED tail lights, matrix LED headlights with signature DRL, air quality sensor, multifunction steering wheel, 60/40 split folding rear seats, keyless entry, intrusion sensor and alarm.

While the car is well-stocked with great options, adding the privacy glass, black exterior pack and cabin air ionisation are always nice touches.

Technical data on the electric Jaguar

For business and company car users note the P11d on standard vehicle at £75,640.00 and CO2 at 0g/km. The 90kWh battery offers anywhere between 165-300 miles weather and conditions dependent. Cap data suggests a full range of 298 miles but the weather conditions will impact on this. The car offers 4.8 second 0-62 times and 400ps. Service intervals on an electric Jag? Every 24 months or 21,000 miles whichever lands sooner. The electric Jag is compatible with a Type 2 up to 7kW per hour (meaning a full charge will take circa 12 hours) and CCS (meaning a rapid charge will take 70-40 minutes depending on speed). A 7kW home charge point would be an ideal solution.

So would the I-Pace be your ideal car choice? Or would the Audi E-Tron, Mercedes EQC or Tesla Model X get your vote?