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Pretoria - Jaguar says its new F-Pace has been engineered from the outset to deliver a driving experience that will set it apart from the competition.
The automaker claims it took everything that defines its sedans and sports cars’ dynamics and applied them to the F-Pace - its first ever SUV.
READ: New Jaguar F-Pace in SA - Here's how much you'll pay
Built on Jaguar’s lightweight aluminium architecture, the F-Pace aims to combine a sports car driving experience, all-wheel drive and a spacious interior in a lightweight package.
Engines built for performance, economy
Sending power to all four wheels is Jaguar’s seamless-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission, standard on all derivatives. Power comes from a selection of petrol and diesel engines. The ultra-efficient 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel engine produces 132kW/430Nm, allowing for a fuel-return of 5.3-litres/100km on the combined cycle.
Also available is a 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine, with outputs of 221kW/700Nm - resulting in a 0-100km/h sprint of just 6.2 seconds.
A choice of two 3.0-litre supercharged V6 petrol engines is also available. Outputs of 250kW/450Nm or 280kW/450Nm allow for 0-100km/h sprint times of 5.8 and 5.5sec, respectively, while top speeds are electronically limited to 250km/h.
Gadgets and tech
The light, stiff body structure of the F-Pace comprises 80% aluminium, and is the only aluminium-intensive monocoque in the segment. Jaguar engineers have also taken additional steps to save weight, including the use of a composite tailgate and magnesium in parts such as the cross-car beam.
A drag coefficient of only 0.34 helps reduce fuel consumption.
READ: Jaguar F-Pace coming to Simola Hillclimb 2016
The F-Pace can be specified with an optional, electronically controlled Adaptive Dynamics system. This measures body and wheel movement 100 and 500 times a second, respectively, ensuring optimum damping forces in all conditions, says Jaguar.
This can be combined with Configurable Dynamics: a system that allows individual settings for the throttle, automatic transmission, steering, and, where fitted, the Adaptive Dynamics system.
Advanced AWD system
The F-Pace’s all-wheel drive system is Jaguar’s most sophisticated yet, and has the highest torque capacity, says the British marque.
It features the advanced, in-house control system first developed for the F-Type AWD: Intelligent Driveline Dynamics (IDD). IDD preserves rear-wheel drive agility and handling character, but, says Jag, can seamlessly transfer torque to the front wheels to exploit the performance benefits of extra traction, on all surfaces and in all weathers.
To ensure that it also delivers on all surfaces and in all weathers, the vehicle has been subjected to the most demanding test programme imaginable, including the searing heat of Dubai and the freezing cold of Northern Sweden.
Testing has been performed over more than 400 000km in these two regions alone, where ambient temperatures can fall as low as -40°C and reach as high as 50°C.
The Jaguar F-Pace goes on sale in July 2016.
