THE Jaguar I-Pace all-electric performance sports utility vehicle (SUV) certainly lives up to its promise of delivering performance, refinement, luxury and agility.

Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia recently organised a day-long media session with the I-Pace, which is priced from RM460,800 for the Black Edition and RM498,800 for the HSE.



It’s also worth noting that the I-Pace Black Edition is now the lowest-priced British big cat from Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia, thanks to the government’s tax incentives for battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

The after-sales package includes a warranty for five years or 150,000km (whichever is first), five years of servicing or 65,000km (whichever is first) and three years of roadside assistance.



It also includes complimentary servicing for up to five years or 102,000km as well as a traction battery warranty of eight years or 160,000km (whichever comes first).

With a 90kWh battery, the I-Pace is rated for a WLTP (worldwide harmonised light vehicle test procedure) range of up to 470km.



DC quick charging can charge the battery from 0% to 80% in under 40 minutes (100kW).

The I-Pace offers all-wheel drive performance, and tremendous muscle with 400PS and 696Nm of torque which propels it from a standstill to 100kph in just 4.8 seconds.



The HSE trim costs RM38,000 more and highlights include get air suspension and adaptive dynamics, upgrade cabin lighting, a Meridian 3D surround sound system, Windsor leather performance seats, and 14-way heated and cooled electric driver memory front seats.

As for the Black Edition, highlights include coil suspension, duo leather sport seats, and 12-way power front seats with memory function.



Upon unlocking the car, the door handles extend out.

Inside the cabin, everything looks plush and classy, with high-quality leather upholstery, as well as smooth polished and soft-touch surfaces.

And unlike some of the BEVs and the latest premium fossil-powered European cars that we have seen, the dashboard is not overwhelmed by huge digital displays and touchscreen interfaces.



Besides the 12.3-inch digital display for driving data behind the steering wheel, there are two smaller panels (10-inch upper and 5-inch lower touchscreens) in the centre of the dashboard to access navigation, media, phone connection and air-conditioning.

There’s a push start-stop power button, rotary dials and even push buttons for the transmission modes - D, N, R, P and we found this interface set-up to be quite convenient.



In the deep storage box between the front seats, there are USB-A, USB-C and 12V sockets, and a Nano SIM card slot.

Rear occupants benefit from two USB-C ports and another 12V socket.



A fixed glass panoramic roof allows more sunlight into the cabin, while rear air-conditioning vents on the B pillars cool down occupants.

While there is ample legroom, 1.7-metre rear occupants will find headroom to be tight.



Only the HSE trim variants were provided for the media session, and the air suspension provided ample ride comfort as we took a short spin around Cyberjaya.

As expected from the British big cat marque, the I-Pace has a sporty feel and inspires confidence when cornering at speed.



The steering feels well-weighted and shod with 20-inch wheels wrapped with grippy Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 tyres sized 245/50, the I-Pace was an agile creature in motoring through road bends.

There’s no thrilling exhaust roar here, and the five-seater SUV delivers a quiet and refined ride, and at the same time, a rapid pace and an engaging drive when you are in the mood for some thrills.

Keywords