The refreshed Jaguar F-Pace, which includes a new plug-in hybrid variant and an overhauled interior, hints at the design of a future generation of Jaguar models.
Jaguar exterior design boss Adam Hatton said: “We’ve had a good era [of design] from 2013’s Jagaur Jaguar F-Type and a generation of cars that came from that. This F-Pace refresh is a step towards what we’re talking about for the future.”
The most pronounced exterior tweaks are slimmer LED headlights and tail-lights, new bumpers, a reprofiled bonnet and a larger grille with a diamond mesh design.
However, the F-Pace’s cabin is where the most attention has been paid. As interior design chief Alister Whelan put it: “When the interior [of the outgoing F-Pace] came out, it was a good interior but not a great interior. We really needed to take it to the next level.”
Whelan cited three key criticisms of the interior from customer feedback: too many hard plastics, limited storage and the infotainment system, all of which the brand believes it has addressed here.
“There are no scratchy plastics in this car anywhere,” said Whelan. Alongside better-quality trim, the F-Pace adopts the Jaguar I-Pace’s steering wheel and luxury headrests from Range Rovers. “The comfort of this interior [versus the old car’s] is chalk and cheese,” said Whelan.
There is more room in the centre console for both the cupholders and, with no manual gearbox to intrude on space, a new, lower stowage section.
The infotainment system is the most dramatic difference. Using the Pivi Pro system first seen in the new Land Rover Defender, the F-Pace introduces a tablet-like 11.4in curved touchscreen not yet seen in other models. Other new tech includes over-the-air updates, wireless charging and cabin air ionisation.
Six powertrains are available and all employ all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The highlight is the new P400e plug-in hybrid. It uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine and a 141bhp electric motor to produce a combined 398bhp and 472lb ft and achieves 0-60mph in 5.0sec. It offers a claimed 33 miles of electric-only driving.
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So, in summary
The touchscreen could have been integrated into the dash and slightly higher up (Porsche have perfected the art), but we'll take this offering over the last one all day long.
The steering wheel looks better, and hallelujah - the electric window switches have been removed from the top of the (now much improved) door card.
I just hope you can't grab the centre console and move it from side to side.
Downsides, the exhaust outlets look too close together. And of course there's all those horror stories of reliability. If they can conquer that mountain I might even be tempted myself.
No manual and no rwd version,
Looks to be a vastly improved