We were all given an F-Pace to test it out for ourselves in a rather flexible and relaxed schedule. It is time to share my views.
| Key Features: | |
| Engine | 3.0 liter V6 |
| Transmission | 8-speed auto |
| Power | 380 BHP / 460 Nm |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h |
| Price as tested | AED 323000 |
Exterior
The Jaguar F-Pace looks and feels like a proper Jaguar. The exterior design is clearly inspired from the Jaguar XE and Jaguar XF sedans. It looks sporty and agile with a dash of masculinity. They wanted the car to appeal to both males and females and they have done a very good job. It is not overly designed and looks just right for a crossover. It blends in perfectly in a gathering of cars and yet it has individuality to stand out in the crowd. The design will take some time to grow on you but it will definitely grow on you. If I have to nitpick then the rear diffuser panel can be improved as it looks like an after-thought and somewhat looks cheap.
Also See: Jaguar F-Pace in Detail
Interior & Safety
The interior of the Jaguar F-Pace is of any other Jaguar and that’s good because it is consistent. The F-Pace is actually practical as it can seat adults in the back easily. It has ample legroom, headroom and rear room for six-foot adults. This story continues in the cargo area as well. The F-Pace trunk can accommodate almost twice the amount of cargo as the Porsche Macan. Coming to the equipment, the F-Pace features Jaguar’s new infotainment system which introduces a large 10.2 inch touchscreen and 12.3 inch digital instrument cluster. The new infotainment is powered by the Intel quad-core processor. It also has 3G data connection and allows smartphone apps to be accessed. As this is first-gen for the new infotainment, there are some glitches which can be improved. As for the safety, it has all the necessary equipment like BSD, LDA, ABS, Airbags, camera etc. All in all, a well-built machine and customers will be satisfied with the features available.
Drive
Jaguar has emphasized on the use of aluminum and that shows while driving. The F-Pace is nimble and agile like any sedan. It is a lively crossover and makes cornering fun. The rainy weather presented challenging situations and the car really managed to impress. We were given the top-spec vehicles powered by 3.0 liter V6 supercharged engine producing 380 BHP and 460 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to an 8 speed automatic transmission. The power delivery is smooth and gear shifts are even smoother. The event comprised of a bit of offroading and there we felt the firmness of the suspension. I think a soft suspension setting for the offroad mode will be better. But otherwise, the grip, the dynamics and the smooth power delivery made it an enjoyable ride.
Also See: Interview with Jaguar Brand Director
Verdict
Jaguar has introduced a gem of an automobile in the form of F-Pace. All it needs is a few tweaks and it can become the benchmark for premium small crossovers.
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