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Jaguar F-Pace S Price: Jaguar F-Pace S, $130,000 Dimensions: Length, 4731mm; width, 2070mm; height, 1652mm Configuration: V6, four-wheel-drive, 2995cc, 280kW, 450Nm, eight-speed automatic. Performance: 0-<strong>10</strong>0km/h, 5.1sec Fuel usage: 8.9l/<strong>10</strong>0km By Ross Kiddie Motoring writer Ross Kiddie checks out Jaguar’s first sport utility vehicle. My introduction to Jaguar’s new F-Pace sport utility vehicle was a little out of the ordinary. At first use, I was driving at considerable speed on a slalom course on one of the runways at the old Wigram Air Force base. It was part of an event titled the Jaguar Art of Performance Tour, which showcased various Jaguar models in a sporty environment. The F-Pace was well suited to the challenge, even against its far sportier stablemates, the heritage for which we know Jaguar was immediately evident. The vehicle this evaluation focuses on is a little different to the one I drove at Wigram, instead of being diesel-powered, it has a 3-litre supercharged V6 engine. English car makers are no strangers to the supercharging concept, they’ve been doing it since Bentley in the 1930s, and Jaguar’s partner Land Rover have produced many Range Rover models with superchargers. With that statement in mind, the F-Pace arrives here in six variations with three engine options, the 2-litre four-cylinder diesel as mentioned, a 3-litre V6 diesel and two supercharged V6s depending on how much power you want to own – 250kW or 280kW. The range spans from $95,000 to $130,000 for the range-topper as tested. For that money you get a wealth of specification, all of the items you would expect in a luxury car, and those fitting the Jaguar brand are fitted to the F-Pace. The concept of the F-Pace is different to that of any Jaguar I’ve driven before. As a company, Jaguar knew that it would have to produce an SUV in order to stay competitive in the global market. The way it has done that is far from traditional, the F-Pace S has style and design flair, it is far from boxy, yet still offers the practicality we demand from SUVs, along with providing stunning performance. Against its V8 powered stablemates the F-Pace’s 2995cc engine may seem a little underwhelming, but at 280kW and 450Nm it does have enormous get-upand-go. According to Jaguar, the S will scamper to <strong>10</strong>0km/h from a standstill in 5.1sec, and it will lunge through a highway overtake in 3.8sec. Jaguar also claims a 250km/h top speed. Drive flows through an eight-speed automatic transmission. It is a classy unit, with ratios and shift patterns well suited to the strong boost of supercharged power. As you would expect, there are sport shift protocols and an eco mode for those inevitable times when you are caught up in traffic. In eco mode, there is a gentle response to the accelerator, which under those circumstances is by far the best option. For the Jaguar enthusiast who is familiar with the centre console-mounted gearshift dial, it is there in the F-Pace. Early January was a good time to be on the road evaluating as there was little traffic and dry roads. I took the test car on a long highway loop just east of the main divide on the scenic route SH72. The F-Pace cruises much like its highprofile stablemates. It is quiet and takes on quite a sporty persona, unlike many of the SUVs in today’s market. There is little indication of height (1652mm), the centre of gravity seems low, body movement over the suspension is controlled and balanced. The fully independent system can be felt working, especially the rear linkages, but you would expect that from Jaguar; as a company it builds vehicles that offer an involving driving experience. The F-Pace has drive to all four wheels, and it is an adaptive system, sending power to the rear when grip is threatened. In most cases the F-Pace would have a life on-road, it’s not an Page 35 actual off-roader as such, but with 213mm of ground clearance, it does have useful cross-country ability. Providing the grip are huge Continental tyres (255/50 x 20in) which send strong information to the driver. On the Wigram slalom course, there was little indication of push at the front or oversteer from the rear; steerage is direct and turn-in strong and decisive. The F-Pace in this form is also a frugal highway cruiser. The engine is loping along slowly at just 1700rpm at <strong>10</strong>0km/h sipping fuel at the rate of just 7.5-litre per <strong>10</strong>0km (38mpg). Jaguar claims an 8.9l/<strong>10</strong>0km (32mpg) combined cycle average, which sits well with the trip computer readout of <strong>10</strong>l/<strong>10</strong>0km (28mpg) during my four days with the evaluation car. Jaguar’s first foray into the sport utility vehicle market is a result of many years of development; the F-Pace is a late entry, but you can guarantee it has been engineered so that it won’t disappoint. You can certainly see that in its styling; it is a cross between sporty and functionality, and as a Jaguar owner, you wouldn’t want anything less. I enjoyed my time with the vehicle; I’d be torn between petrol and diesel power and I hope to drive the latter at some point. However, in the interim, I’m sold. If I was a luxury car SUV buyer, it would be the top of my list.