Jaguar rules out Model 3 rival

Jaguar has revealed that a smaller sibling to the pure-electric I-PACE SUV, or competitor to Tesla's mid-size Model 3 sedan, will not happen because it would lack driving range.

The revelation that, for now, the I-PACE will remain the smallest electric vehicle manufactured by JLR was made in an interview with head of design, Ian Callum.

When asked if Jaguar had any plans for an electric compact SUV or a baby brother to the mid-size I-PACE, Callum immediately ruled out anything smaller.

"Can we do a smaller one? Possibly, but it wouldn't have the range at the moment. It was a balance of range and battery size," he said.

"The I-PACE came about because of battery size. Engineers said this is the wheelbase we need to accommodate the batteries and we worked up from there and it ended up where it did.

Callum said the wheelbase of the I-PACE needed to be a certain length to accommodate the car-maker's 90kWh lithium-ion battery pack low in its chassis -- between the two axles for optimum weight distribution. Adding complexity, the battery cradle is actually part of the chassis to boost rigidity.

Describing the design process of the I-PACE as "immensely satisfying", Callum added that he didn't want the I-PACE to be any bigger than it is because it needs to "appeal to suburbanites".

During the interview, Jaguar's head of design was also asked about the forthcoming replacement for the aging XJ limousine.

Callum replied that the next XJ, which will reportedly be an all-electric vehicle, said it was "almost finished".

When pushed for more details, he replied: "It will be different and it will have more room inside it.

"People are using these big cars to be driven in and we're very aware of that so we must accommodate that better," said Callum.

Announcing that it will be the "next car we bring out", the Scottish design boss confirmed the XJ will remain the car-maker's flagship and will introduce new technology for the brand, but won't be a direct Mercedes S-Class rival.

Callum: "I don't see the XJ as a traditional S-Class Mercedes rival.

"A three-box limo sedan — I don't think that is a Jaguar, A Jaguar is a much sportier car. Yes, it will take four to five people in comfort and luxury, but that's where the similarities stop. It still has to be a driver's car," said Callum.

Although JLR's sole EV offering so far is a bespoke model and it has ruled out a smaller e-SUV and an EV version of the XE, a new all-electric XJ and - reportedly - F-TYPE could be its first traditional models to be electrified.