Jaguar F-Pace tested in UK; best in class for interior and equipment

Jaguar F-Pace: An SUV for the GCC.

LONDON: The F-Pace is Jaguar’s first foray into the SUV segment with hope to capitalize on the segment’s strong growth and on Jaguar reputation in producing some of the best sports cars.
The concept model for the F-Pace was introduced at Frankfurt Motor Show in 2013 under the code C-X17. At the time, it was the best looking SUV in the market.
The F-Pace is true to that concept.
This is a sporty and agile SUV but its distinctive feature is its superb handling. Jaguar succeeded in translating the best handling and interior of the XF and XJ saloons into its first SUV. This is the sports car of the SUV segment.
It competes in the hottest mid-SUV segment that includes best sellers such as the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Porsche Macan. F-Pace only offers five seats but there is more space than that offered by rivals, for both passengers and luggage.
The model tested in the UK has a 3.0 liter turbocharged V6 diesel engine but models sold in the region have supercharged V6 petrol engines similar to that used in the F-Type.
It is a capable engine that propels the F-Pace to 100km/h in 5.5 seconds and to maximum speed of 155mph.
Jaguar is hoping to emulate the success of other sport carmakers such as Porsche in the SUV segment.
The F-Pace offers its best chance for that success. It drives with the agility of a sedan and keeps its value for longer compared to the competition.
The company produced a First Edition model which was promptly sold out.
The F-Pace tested has an 80+ list of standard specifications. However, the car is not cheap as its UK list price is £51,450 ($66,885). The sterling recent depreciation may moderate the price in US dollars lower.
For that the buyer gets an F-Pace with all-wheel drive and 8-speed electronic automatic transmission with Jaguar sequential shift (at the steering wheel).
The car is also equipped with Torque Vectoring technology which provides controlled braking on the inside rear wheel delivering outstanding sports car agility and added driver confidence. The driver can also select, by a button, the optimum mode of ride suitable to the surface of the road.
Other driver’s assistance technologies include cruise control with automatic speed limiter, lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition and rear camera.
For safety, the F-Pace has six airbags with side curtains, seat-belt reminder, whiplash protection, power child locks and two rear ISOFIX child seat fixings. For entertainment, there is DAB radio, Wi-Fi and optional Meridian sound system.
Convenience has a high priority in the F-Pace.
The car is equipped with keyless entry and start button, remote central locking, Bluetooth telephone connectivity, satellite navigation, heated front seats, dual climate control and powered tailgate.
The optional extras in the test car include Glacier White Paint; 22” double helix 15 spoke silver wheels; privacy glass and activity key.
Buyers can ignore extras for better value.
The F-Pace has established itself in the market sooner than expected and has already been chosen by some specialized British titles as SUV of the Year 2016.

Test drive
The F-Pace looks intimidating with a big front grille and large side mirrors.
It is hard to believe that it competes in the mid-SUV segment.
For Jaguar drivers, it has the familiar format of the rotary gear selector that rises to the hand once the pulsing red start button is pushed.
Exterior design is one of the best in the segment and has been described as “pretty.”
The Jaguar genes are obvious with front lights borrowed from the saloons and rear lights from the F-Type sports car.
It is well-proportioned and comes with panoramic glass roof and color-coded bumpers and skirts.
The interior is where the car excels with premium finish and room to spare in both rows of seats, despite the exterior sporty look.
There is room for five passengers and no option for seven seats.
The test car has black and red hide interior with red stitching making it an attractive package, especially that this format is not listed as an added option. The large touch-screen comes as standard and the car is fitted with USB, Bluetooth connectivity and onboard Wi-Fi.
With a boot space of 650 liters, space in the back is bigger than that in key rivals such as the Porsche Macan and Mercedes-Benz GLC.
The rear seats split 40:20:40 and increase the carrying capacity to 1,740 liters when all folded flat. There are some nice little touches too, such as the reversible boot floor – one side is carpet, the other a waterproof, durable rubber.
The sole petrol-powered option, used in the region, is fitted in the fastest and most expensive F-Pace. It’s a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 lifted from the F-Type sports car, producing 375bhp. It’s moderate in fuel consumption as Jaguar rates it at 31mpg — and its CO2 count is 209g/km. For now, the supercharged V6 remains the only petrol option, but whispers of the F-Pace getting SVR treatment and sporting a V8 in the near future are plausible.
This is an ideal car for the GCC region as it combines sporty looks and high performance with roomy interior. It is very likely that it would become Jaguar’s best seller in the region soon. Its only limitations are the five-seats-only option and lacking the superior rough terrain capabilities of its Land Rover cousins.