Jaguar reveals stand-alone electric SUV

Jaguar has beaten its rivals revealing a stand-alone electric model ahead of SUV rivals Audi and Mercedes. The 400hp I-Pace is the first pure-electric model from the brand and will be followed up by a lineup of electrified Jaguars.

The next electric model, due next year, will be a new-generation XJ luxury saloon, and hybrid versions of other models will hit the roads by 2020.

In view of the CO2 targets due 2021, the I-Pace will form an important component of Jaguar's low-emission drive. According to commentators, with the brand, Jaguar will also be able to position itself at the cutting edge of a new breed of premium electric vehicles arriving in the next 12 months and beyond.

The 90kWh lithium ion battery of the I-Pace delivers a range of up to 480km, according to the new WLTP cycle, which equates to 535km on the old NEDC test and 385km on the American EPA cycle.

The Tesla Model 3 hits 500km on the EPA cycle and the Renault Zoe – Europe's biggest-selling EV in 2017 – makes up to 400km on the NEDC cycle. Most manufacturers launching electric SUVs, including Audi (E-tron) and Mercedes (EQ C), are claiming a 500km range.

With a 100-kW DC fast charger, I-Pace goes from empty to 80 per cent charge in only about 40 minutes. On a 7-kW Level 2 home charger, it'll take about 10 hours to add the same amount of charge. According to commentators, overnight charging would be ideal option under the circumstances. The vehicle's interior can also be preconditioned so that users do not have to lose a bit of their battery's charge to ensure a warm seat when they hop in.

Like other modern EVs and PHEVs, the I-Pace offers multiple brake-regeneration settings. The battery comes with an eight-year, 100,000-mile warranty and if it drops lower than a 70 per cent state of health at any point within that window, it'll be covered.