Jaguar I-PACE emerges as Europe's first electric SUV

Jaguar’s highly anticipated, all-electric I-PACE SUV has been revealed ahead of its Australian release in October, when it will be the first in a series of battery-powered European SUVs to arrive.

Bearing an uncanny resemblance to the concept car that first previewed it almost two years ago, the battery-electric SUV promises to be one of Jaguar’s most significant models yet.

motoring.com.au can confirm the five-seat mid-size SUV will be priced in Australia from $119,000 (plus on-road costs), making pricier than the circa-$100,000 starting price previously expected and more expensive than Jaguar's own similarly-sized F-PACE SUV ($73,252-$104,827 plus ORCs), but cheaper than the $140K-plus Tesla Model X.

Employing a pair of electric motors to deliver a combined 294kW and 696Nm, Jaguar says the I-PACE can hit 100km/h in just 4.8 seconds -- making it quicker than the Model X P100D (4.9sec) but not when it's equipped with Ludicrous Speed mode (3.1sec).

A good level of dynamic prowess is assured courtesy of 50:50 weight distribution, low centre of gravity, structural rigidity of 36kNm/degree (higher than another Jaguar, says the car-maker) and a relatively light all-aluminium architecture -- although no weight figure has been revealed.

Jaguar claims an electric driving range of 480km and says the car’s 90kWh lithium-ion battery pack can reach an 80 per cent state of charge in 10 hours using a regular 7kW AC wall box.That can be whittled down to 45 minutes via a 100kW DC outlet.

The I-PACE will ride on double-wishbone suspension up front and an integral-link rear-end, with air suspension to be offered optionally.

The car’s luggage compartment is rated at 656 litres, opening up to 1453 litres with the rear seats folded flat.

Jaguar hasn’t confirmed final specification and equipment details just yet, but says the I-PACE will be available across S, SE and HSE grade trims, along with an obligatory First Edition model.

Jaguar Australia will offer a three-year/100,000km vehicle warranty with the I-PACE, plus eight years and 160,000km coverage for the battery.

The I-PACE will also borrow a leaf from Tesla’s book in offering over-the-air software updates.

Stay tuned for more details on the I-PACE, along with our first on-road impressions, following next week's Geneva motor show on March 6.