Crossovers are intriguing cars with their versatility and flexibility, but they usually end up flawed because of their lack of proper execution or just sheer ugliness. Let’s take BMWs crossover for example, the X6. It’s definitely not a looker and it tends to be confused about its role, performing pretty average as an SUV and a sports car, but Jaguar hasn’t let that happen at least in terms of design. Can Jaguar pull off the perfect crossover? We’ll find out soon enough.
Now the F-Pace has a distinct Sports Utility silhouette and seems to take inspiration from the new Discovery though it definitely has that quintessentially modern Jaguar look with the XE inspired headlamps. The F-Pace has an extremely upright stance as compared to its siblings but follows a plunging roofline which maintains the cars sleek profile even with the reduced rake at the front. The bodywork is extremely muscular and aggressive as on the C-X17, but the production F-pace would definitely be taken a few notches down.
The F-Pace would be built on Jaguar’s state of the art aluminium modular architecture. Powering the F-Pace is the series of modular Jaguar-Land Rover Ingenium engines. These engines are already being used in the Jaguar XE and the new Land Rover Discovery and we should see the 2.0 litre inline four in both petrol and diesel on the F-Pace. The supercharged 3.0 litre V6 is set to be the most powerful engine for the F-Pace, although there is a chance that the high performance supercharged 5.0 litre petrol V8 would power the F-Pace too.
The F-Pace will mark a significant milestone for Jaguar since this is the first time the 80 year old company is going to enter the SUV market. The F-Pace name is derived from the F-type and a famous Jaguar slogan from the 50s ‘Grace, Pace, Space’, a lovely tribute. The F-Pace won’t be Jaguar’s only SUV though. The Brits have lined up an entire family of SUVs based on the brand new architecture.
Once launched, the F-Pace will directly compete against the Porsche Macan and the new BMW X4. The F-Pace should see an International Launch soon with its unveiling at the Frankfurt Motor show. Its arrival on the Indian Peninsula would have to wait though.
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