“Electrification is a big part of our future,” or so the folks at Jaguar stressed during a recent media backgrounder offering us a sneak peek at the 2021 F-Pace SUV.
Jaguar and its sibling Land Rover brand are making a big push to electrify their line-up with a mix of all-electric, plug-in and hybrid drivetrains and there’s plenty of news on that front with the F-Pace, the best-selling Jaguar ever. That said, U.S. buyers will have to show patience. While they’ll get two new mild hybrid versions of the SUV for 2021, the Brits have decided we’ll have to wait for the sporty plug-in model until some unspecified future date.
“We got to reappraise the existing car” and make major changes pretty much everywhere, noted Adam Hutton, the head of exterior design for the 2021 Jaguar F-Pace.
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From a powertrain standpoint, the most significant development is the introduction – for Europe and some other foreign markets – of a PHEV model, the F-Pace P400e.
Using European measures, the drivetrain punches out 404 PS and 472 pound-feet of torque. The system, which we’ve already seen on the Land Lover side of the family, here can launch from 0 to 60 in just 5 seconds, Jaguar claims. The PHEV pushes power to all four wheels and drivers will be able to choose from three different drive modes.
A built-in 240-volt charger will handle home charging in about 7 hours, but owners may prefer plugging in to public quick chargers which will deliver an 80% recharge in about 30 minutes.
We’ll offer up more details if and when the P400e comes to the States. For now, U.S. F-Pace buyers will have two 48-volt mild hybrid options for 2021.
There’s the S 340 making 335 hp and 354 lb-ft, and a pumped-up version, the R-Dynamic S 400, using the same basic 3.0-liter V-6 and electric starter/boost system to punch things up to 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The S340 will get you to 60 in 5.8 seconds, the S 400 in just 5.1.
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The P250 and S 250, meanwhile, draw power exclusively from a 2.0-liter inline-four making 246 hp and 269 lb-ft. All versions of the 2021 Jaguar F-Pace will come with all-wheel-drive.
Visually, the mid-cycle update brings a new and more aerodynamically streamlined front bumper, revised grille and slimmer LED lamps. Framed by “double-J-blade” graphics. The hood of the ’21 model is more sculpted, with a distinctive “power bulge.”
The side fender vents have been updated, down to the brand’s distinctive “Leaper” emblem. And you now can order the F-Pace with 21-inch wheels and tires. In back, the tailgate, bumper and lamps have been tweaked as well, emphasizing the SUV’s width.
The update continues inside with what designer Allister Whelan calls “an immersive interior.” The most notable change here is the use of a curved floating touchscreen display. At 11.4 inches it’s not only larger but significantly faster thanks to an update of Jaguar’s PIVI-Pro infotainment system.
We’ll have to wait for our first drive but Jaguar claims the system is faster, more responsive to natural language voice commands and “future-proofed,” thanks to a new electrical architecture and the ability to handle over-the-air-updates.
Borrowing a page from the Land Rover side, there are now two separate modems built in which make it easier to handle things like navigation and streaming services simultaneously. Unfortunately, the system will stay 4G with no immediate plans to switch to faster 5G technology, said tech specialist Matthew Waller.
As you might expect, the R-Design gets a number of upgraded details, including diamond patterns on interior fabrics, a unique shifter and distinctive colors, veneers and metal accents.
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We’ll have to wait for specific launch dates, fuel economy and pricing. The 2020 F-Pace starts at $45,200 plus delivery fees.
Golly, another SUV that looks like every other SUV, but in this case costs twice as much.
Feeling a bit curmudgeonly today? LOL!