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Customer LoginsJaguar takes bite of premium compact crossover space with new E-Pace
Jaguar has announced the further broadening of its vehicle range with the introduction of the new E-Pace compact crossover.
IHS Markit perspective
- Significance: Jaguar is continuing the further broadening of its vehicle range with the introduction of the new E-Pace.
- Implications: The new model will be Jaguar's second in the premium crossover space, and should allow the brand to make a further significant step up in volume.
- Outlook: IHS Markit expects this vehicle's global sales to peak at around 61,500 units during 2019, at which point we see Jaguar's overall volumes standing at 271,000 units. However, we will watch the consumer acceptance of this model very closely and could adjustment our forecasts to reflect this.
Jaguar revealed the latest step in the broadening of its vehicle range last night (13 July) as it revealed the E-Pace compact crossover. In a statement coinciding with its launch, the automaker summed up the new model as having "Jaguar sports car design and dynamics in a five-seat compact performance SUV [sport utility vehicle]."
The five-door, high-riding vehicle measures 4,395mm long with front and rear overhangs that measure just 882mm and 832mm, while having a wheelbase of 2,681mm. It also stands at 2,088mm wide and 1,649mm tall. The automaker has stated that the look of the vehicle has been inspired by the look of its sports models, with a sweeping roofline, distinctive side window profile and rear haunches, as well as the prominent Jaguar nose and optional LED headlights. The exterior can also be specified in 11 exterior colours with optional contrasting and fixed panoramic glass roof, as well as a range of wheel designs up to 21 inches.
As for the interior, it features a wraparound cockpit with a 10-inch touchscreen for the Touch Pro infotainment, which reduces the number of switches. It also has a number of rotary dials to operate the climate control functions. There is also the option of a 12.3-inch HD display and head-up display (HUD). There will also be charging capabilities for devices via USB and 12-volt points. The company added that the E-Pace interior features "durable, technical materials and contrast stitching in vibrant colours" but with the option of "soft Windsor leathers". It also features luggage capacity of 577 litres, helped by the vehicle's sophisticated Integral Link rear suspension architecture.
From a powertrain perspective, the E-Pace uses a range of diesel and gasoline (petrol) 2.0-litre engines from Jaguar Land Rover's Ingenium family. Its diesel range will comprise a 150PS, 180PS and 240PS options. All of these are available with four-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic transmission, although only the 150PS variant will be available with front-wheel drive with a manual transmission, enabling it to achieve CO2 emissions of 124 g/km. On the gasoline front, Jaguar will offer this engine in either 249PS or 300PS variants, with four-wheel drive and automatic transmission only.
As for the technology available, Jaguar has planned for this vehicle to have high levels of connectivity. The TouchPro system will benefit from the latest InControl features such a remotely control various vehicle functions, offer 4G wireless internet hotspot, voice recognition and access to smartphone applications. On the safety systems front, the E-Pace will be offered with Blind Spot Assist, Forward Traffic Monitor, Adaptive Driving Beam, Park Assist and Roll Stability Control.
The automaker has announced that in the UK, pricing will start at GBP28,500 (USD36,833) for the standard E-Pace D150 in front-wheel drive, rising to GBP50,710 for the E-Pace P300 R-Dynamic HSE. At launch, the automaker will also offer the "First Edition" for the first year which will be available with either D180 or P250 engines. These will be based on the R-Dynamic SE specification package, offered in three colours and 20-inch wheels for the exterior, while the interior will feature ambient mood lighting, panoramic roof, HUD system, configurable dynamics, gesture-controlled tailgate and Jaguar Activity Key, alongside unique badging and carpets.
Outlooks and implications
Having had no contender in the popular crossover and SUV space just two years ago, Jaguar has now unveiled its second in the new E-Pace. The early indications suggest that Jaguar could be on to as much of a winner with this as the F-Pace has been. This model, which started reaching customers at the end of March 2016 has now become the brand's biggest selling model, having sold 39,643 units in the first half of the year, according to Jaguar's own figures. This is versus just 23,064 units for the XE and 21,155 units for the XF during the same period.
The E-Pace will sit beneath the F-Pace as an entrant into the premium compact crossover category. The global compact crossover market has grown vastly during the past decade from just over 3.31 million units in 2007 to 12.83 million units last year. However, the premium category has seen an even bigger jump from effectively being just the Land Rover Freelander, which sold around 64,500 units during 2007, to 1.15 million last year thanks to the introduction of the BMW X1, Audi Q3, Lexus NX, Mercedes-Benz GLA and Land Rover Evoque and Discovery Sport during this timeframe. However, as well as the E-Pace, other additions are expected in this space including the Volvo XC40 from the end of the year, BMW X2 and Mercedes GLB. This will help lift global sales to around 1.69 million units by 2021.
Jaguar has also confirmed that this will be the first vehicle to be produced by JLR solely outside the UK. Although the architecture is an evolution of the steel underpinnings used by the Land Rover Discovery Sport, the Halewood (United Kingdom) plant that produces these two vehicles lacks the capacity to take on the E-Pace as well. As a result, the job of manufacturing has been handed to Magna Steyr which will produce the vehicle at its site in Graz (Austria). It will be the first of two Jaguar models that will be built there, the second being the new I-Pace electric vehicle (EV) which will arrive during 2018. The E-Pace is also planned to be built by JLR's joint venture with Chery in China, Chery Jaguar Land Rover (CJLR), at its Changsha (China) site. It is planned that it will go on sale in China during 2018.
IHS Markit expects that the new E-Pace will add further sales volume to the brand. We currently anticipate that this model's global sales will peak at around 61,500 units during 2019, at which point we see Jaguar's overall volumes standing at 271,000 units. This is a far cry from the lows of under 50,000 units that it sold globally in 2011 and the 147,300 units that it sold last year. We also see JLR's global sales reaching 765,700 units during 2019, up from around 589,200 units in 2016. However, we will continue to watch the consumer acceptance of this model very closely and could well need to make adjustments to our forecast for this vehicle in further rounds.
About this article
The above article is from AutoIntelligence Daily by IHS Markit. AutoIntelligence Daily provides same-day analysis of automotive news, events and trends. Get a free trial.