There is no way around it: electric driving. According to pioneers, it is the next mainstream way of transport. Yet, there are still people who think that traffic entirely based on electric driving will not be realized. The fact remains that car manufacturers do anticipate electric driving, as does Jaguar. The Jaguar dealer Kimman in Amsterdam let us take out the Jaguar I-Pace to judge for ourselves whether or not electric driving is our actual future.
At our first acquaintance, it was obvious: Jaguar has attempted to produce the best electric car possible. If you are familiar with Jaguar, you will know that this brand relies on a high level of luxury – they clearly succeeded with the new I-Pace. This bolide feels like a real car and is no way downgraded by second-rate solutions or faulty materials.
The Jaguar I-Pace is equipped with an electromotor which has a power of 294kW – in traditional terms that would be about 400 hp. As of result of Jaguar deciding to provide torque to all of its wheels simultaneously, the I-Pace is supplied with a Four-wheel drive. Thereto connected is an 8-gear sequential automatic transmission. The result of which is a bolide that – not unlike what we are used to of electric vehicles (VE) – races off in seconds.
Action radius
What stands out when driving the Jaguar I-Pace is the fact that you are – at least we are – focussed on the action radius. They say you should be able to drive 400 to 450 km on a full battery, but experience teaches us that, with normal driving behaviour and using all functions available, it is more along the lines of 350 to 400 km. When it comes to luxury, this car is fully equipped. The multimedia system works pleasantly, the mood lighting is adjustable to preference and the chairs can be furnished according to taste. It is a Jaguar like a Jaguar ought to be: luxurious, comfortable and stylish.
Floris Wyers: ‘This car is pure luxe.’
It takes some getting used to, this futuristic design, but we have accepted it as a part of electric and hybrid cars. The finishing touch of the interior is excellent and robust. As was mentioned before, the car feels sturdy and nothing suggests any money being saved.
Very tempting
The I-Pace has the same challenging factor as many other electric cars. You want to give gas continuously. Whether you are on the motorway, or in front of a traffic light in the middle of the city: the direct power makes it very tempting to speed away.
There is, however, a small disadvantage when driving the Jaguar I-Pace. It takes quite a while to charge the car through the regular charging stations you find in the residential areas. That is why it takes some figuring out when to charge, so you can get back on the road carefree. If you want to charge your car at a Fastnet-charger, your wait is way less.
Puzzling
This is the only point of criticism for the car, though – and other electric cars. Some planning is definitely required for a carefree drive and on top of everything else, you should really ask yourself: what if everyone would drive an electric car?
As a result, we still look at fully electric traffic as a utopia, but there is definitely potential. Jaguar has, with the I-Pace, the ungrateful job of revolutionizing this class. In this world that is far from simple.
The Jaguar I-Pace is available for prices as from €80.810. There is only a limited amount of cars in stock with 4% additional tax liability.