Jaguar I-PACE upgraded

Don’t expect revolution when the 2021 Jaguar I-PACE arrives Down Under in the last quarter of 2020.

Instead, the latest update of Jaguar’s first-ever, all-electric production car will boast useful improvements to charging options and (a little) more equipment.

In fact, the biggest news about the updated Jaguar I-PACE is probably its new smartphone-style Pivi Pro infotainment system and improved connectivity, including the ability to carry out a wider range of over-the-air updates.

It’s perhaps just as well then, because the I-PACE was a pretty good thing to drive straight out of the box.

As tech companies improve their products by iteration, so Jaguar has worked to enhance the 2021 I-PACE. The crossover cum SUV has won many plaudits since its launch in 2018 and, on paper at least, still has the range and performance advantage over its closest competitors, the Mercedes-Benz EQC and Audi e-tron.

Yes, the elephant in the room remains the Tesla Model X. But as clearly as there is a cadre of fans for Tesla and its products, so are there rejecters that wish to stay within the orbit of traditional car-makers. The success or otherwise of the updated I-PACE and its newer German counterparts will re-affirm this (one way or another).

Jaguar announced (very) modest increases in the I-PACE’s efficiency and range late in 2019 at no extra cost. To take advantage of the latest updates, I-PACE buyers will have to pay a little more for their chosen Jaguar EV.

Order books open today for the MY2021 Jaguar I-PACE with the S priced from $128,650 (was $124,100), the SE from $138,460 (up $3060) and the range-topping HSE now from $152,060 – an increase of $6060.

Faster home charging is the promise of the 2021 Jaguar I-PACE, thanks to a new 11kW onboard charger which now comes standard on all grades.

This matches the capacity of units fitted to the I-PACE’s Benz and Audi counterparts and means that consumers able to install a three-phase wallbox to “enjoy significantly faster charging”. Jaguar claims 8.6 hours from empty to full and 53km of WLTP range per hour.

A 50kW fast destination charger will now add 63km of range in 15 minutes, while a 100kW charger will add up to 127km over the same period. No news yet on when Jaguar will update the I-PACE to take advantage of the new generation of 350kW chargers starting to be rolled out in Australia.

Maximum power, torque and 0-100km/h performance claims for the 2021 Jaguar I-PACE are unchanged at 294kW, 696Nm and 4.8sec respectively. Range is said to be up to 470km (WLTP).

The highlight of the 2021 Jaguar I-PACE update is Jaguar Land Rover’s Pivi Pro infotainment system, featuring a 12.3-inch high-definition virtual instrument cluster, 10-inch and 5.0-inch upper and lower centre stack touch-screens and multi-function, haptic rotary controllers.

Jaguar claims the new system is “as quick and easy to use as your smartphone” with faster start-up and flatter menu structures for quicker results and navigation input. The new Pivi Pro set-up has embedded apps and also allows two smartphones to be paired simultaneously.

Graphics take a step up and, in Europe at least, “connected self-learning navigation” interfaces with charging networks to allow smart route planning. Jaguar Australia is still to confirm the extent of this functionality Down Under.

All Aussie I-PACE models get a high-definition 3D surround camera and Jaguar now also offers a ClearSight camera-based rear-view ‘mirror’ system as an $855 option on all grades.

Although features such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and DAB digital radio are now standard on all I-PACE grades, there are still some glaring omissions from the standard equipment list. Inductive smartphone charging, for instance, is new for MY2021 but also a $350 option – even on the $150K-plus HSE flagship.

Also optional on all grades of MY2021 Jaguar I-PACE are rear (four-zone) climate control ($1820), front fog lights ($403) and, on the chassis side, air suspension and Jaguar’s adaptive dynamics system.

A head-up display is standard only on the HSE, while metallic paints add $1950 or $3900 depending on your choice of colour.

Jaguar makes mention of 2021 I-PACE’s new cabin air ionisation system with PM2.5 filtration to capture “ultrafine particles and allergens”. This is also an option.

The other side of the 2021 Jaguar I-PACE connectivity equation is over the air updates. Now battery management and charging can be updated remotely in addition to telematics and infotainment software. And Jaguar says there’s more to come.

Physical changes to the 2021 Jaguar I-PACE are minor. The base S grade switches from 18- to 19-inch alloy wheels as standard and there have been tweaks to the detailing of each model grade.

A new $760 Bright Pack option “accentuates I-PACE’s World Car of the Year award winning design”, says Jaguar.

Black and carbon-fibre enhancement packs are offered at $990 and $6160 respectively.

“When we developed the I-PACE we wanted it to be the world’s most desirable electric vehicle and to show what happens when Jaguar goes electric,” said Jaguar I-PACE Vehicle Line boss, Alan Volkaerts.

“I think we’ve achieved those ambitious goals, and now we’ve made it even better with a new infotainment system, three-phase charging and technology that benefits driver and passengers alike.

“We’ve also subtly enhanced the design... I-PACE was the first premium all-electric performance SUV: every change we’ve made ensures that it’s still the benchmark in its class.”

Marketing speak aside, there’s a factor of ‘if it’s not broke’ to the relatively modest changes to I-PACE.

The reality is likely that Jaguar is using all of its EV budget and intellectual capital on the all new, all-electric, next-generation XJ limousine.

Expected to debut at least in concept form in the second half of 2020, the new Jaguar XJ will give us all a look at what I-PACE v2.0 could or really should be.

How much does the 2021 Jaguar I-PACE cost?
S – $128,650 (was $124,100)
SE – $138,460 (was $135,400)
HSE – $152,060 (was $146,000)
* Prices exclude on-road costs