The Star: August 01, 2019

MY WIFE asked the
question the other day: “Do
you think it’s time to buy an
electric car?’’
She was responding
to media reports that
indicated the Government
is going to subsidise the
purchase of electric vehicles
and raise tariffs on cars
which are deemed to be
taxing on the environment.
I answered by saying
that internal combustion
engines have special appeal
to me, and I’d be reluctant
at this stage to look at an
EV.
However, if I was to
change my mind and had
around $150k to spend, I’d
be looking no further than
Jaguar’s I-Pace.
The I-Pace is fully
electric, and is Jaguar’s
eco-friendly sport utility
vehicle. It lands here in
three specifications – S at
$144,900, SE at $154,900
and HSE at $164,900.
This evaluation surrounds
the mid-spec model and it
has all of the grandeur that
you would expect from this
legendary company. The
I-Pace also has all of the
performance that has made
Jaguar the past master of
blending power, handling
and luxury.
At almost 4.7m the
I-Pace isn’t huge, but it
does sit in the mid-to-large
SUV category and, as such,
it has cavernous internal
space which translates into
comfort, it also has a large
cargo carrying area (638
to 1453-litres), and all of
the trimmings that make
luxury cars so desirable.
The specification list is
way too comprehensive
to mention, but I will say
the interior is space age
and futuristic, yet all of
the control systems are
intuitive, and I quickly
found my way around the
in-cabin area in total.
In terms of technology,
the I-Pace is powered by
two electric motors, one up
front and one at the rear,
obviously drive is to all four
wheels which offers realistic
cross-country ability.
The suspension is an
air-type system, and it
can be raised or lowered
depending on the surface
and journey. It must be
said that the suspension
is fabulous, comfort levels
are high while on-road ruts
and undulations are soaked
up without shock.
When I say that there
are two electric motors
providing the drive, I
should mention that they
are two very powerful
electric motors. Jaguar
claim 290kW and a
combined torque figure
of 696Nm. While many
performance models have
that amount of torque these
days, it must be taken into
account that that figure is
available from zero speed, it
is available instantaneously
from a standstill, and it will
supply without falter until
the top speed (200km/h) is
reached. Not that I tested to
that extreme, but the point
is the I-Pace is quick, it will
also reach 100km/h from
a standstill in 4.8sec, and
will make highway overtake
(80-120km/h) in 3.8sec.
These are amazing
figures for a vehicle
which weighs in tubby at
almost 2.2-tonne, and the
constant feeling of strong
acceleration never wilts.
That’s the beauty of
electric power, performance
is swift and satisfying, the
surge of power will hold you
back in your seat, and all of
this without much sound.
There is the odd gush of
wind and an electronic hum
associated with electric
motors, but for all money
the I-Pace has whispersmooth
motion, it is very
much the quiet achiever.
When it comes to the
power/handling balance,
the I-Pace inherits all of
the qualities that Jaguar has
built into its vehicles over
the years, the I-Pace steers
with direct turn-in and
strong feedback.
One of the reasons why
I’m a reluctant EV buyer
is that I suffer very much
from range anxiety, even in
Motoring
Ross Kiddie
27
All charged up over
electric Jaguar I-Pace
JAGUAR I-PACE: Fully electric sport utility vehicle.
• Price – Jaguar
i-Pace, $144,900
• Dimensions –
Length, 4682mm;
width, 2011mm;
height, 1565mm
• Configuration
– Four-wheeldrive,
290kW,
696Nm, automatic
transmission
• Performance –
0-100km/h, 4.8sec
a vehicle that needs fossil
fuel, I’m very much an
owner who travels with the
tank full.
It’s different in an EV,
you need to be thinking
about charge stations on a
journey, and having your
vehicle fully charged before
setting off on trek. Bear in
mind, though, the clever
satellite navigation system
is loaded with potential
charge sites nationwide
while Jaguar claims a
470km journey is possible
under the right conditions.
It must also be pointed
out that the old house my
wife and I own doesn’t
have the facility to charge
electric cars, we don’t
have a suitable outlet plug,
and we’ve been told by
an electrician our wiring
wouldn’t support the drain.
That is something any
potential buyer would need
to take into account.
However, for those who
do have that facility the
I-Pace will fully charge
from empty in around
10 hours, while a charge
station boost will see the
batteries reach 80 per cent
capacity in 85min.
Electric vehicles are very
much the talking point at
the moment, yet there is
also a lot of discussion to
whether New Zealand’s
infrastructure can support a
huge increase in the number
of EVs on our roads.
While hydro power is
mostly in abundance, there
are fears the grid could
overload when thousands
of the home chargers
are switched on for an
overnight boost.
That being the case,
baby steps into EVs is my
recommendation. For
those lucky enough to
own an I-Pace, you will
have certainly made a
good choice. It is the 2019
World Car of the Year,
and it certainly deserves
the accolade, it is by far
the most desirable EV I’ve
driven.
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