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THE JAGUAR #04

  • Text
  • Jaguar
  • Charging
  • Formula
  • Konta
  • Racing
  • Tamara
  • Mirko
  • Piquet
  • Features
  • Rover
A charged-up drive of the New All-Electric Jaguar I-PACE in Portugal’s Algarve | The inside line on the creation of the revolutionary I-PACE | Reinventing a classic: meet the E-type Concept Zero | Fifty years of the iconic XJ saloon | Exclusive interview with tennis star Johanna Konta | Can supercomputers revolutionise art?

I-PACE FIRST DRIVE Its

I-PACE FIRST DRIVE Its Jaguar DNA instantly strikes you when you first get a chance to put a foot to the throttle: power builds progressively, almost like a combustion-engined car. It’s an unusual sensation for an electric vehicle – many EVs offer a rather blunt burst of torque. While the I-PACE’s twin electric motors’ combined 400PS can dispatch 60mph in a blistering 4.5 seconds from a standing start, it is different from other EVs in the way it handles, too. Some are very ‘digital’ in their steering – just quick, but with little feel. But I-PACE’s electrically-assisted steering has the heft of a hydraulic system. You can feel the weight of the wheels turning, which allows better control. The Autódromo Internacional do Algarve race circuit is an ideal first stop on our route, to discover what the cuttingedge I-PACE technology has to offer once it is let loose – especially as I-PACEs will also soon be seen racing in the forthcoming I-PACE eTROPHY series (see page 39). Sitting at the foot of the Serra de Monchique mountains, just 15 miles northwest from the port city of Portimão, the 4,684-metre long track can accommodate 100,000 spectators and hosts rounds of the European Le Mans and Superbike World Championship series. Four solar panel farms are used to generate electricity, producing more power than the circuit consumes even on a race weekend, making it an appropriate place, in every sense, to evaluate the I-PACE. “EXHILARATING RAPID BUT REASSURINGLY SAFE IN DYNAMIC MODE, THE I-PACE PASSES ITS FIRST TEST WITH FLYING COLOURS” Once out on the circuit, we activate Dynamic mode by pressing one of the two buttons on the ‘floating’ centre console, and the I-PACE immediately wears its game face: the steering weights up, suspension becomes firmer and the car feels planted on the road with very little body roll through corners. Exhilaratingly rapid but reassuringly safe in Dynamic mode, the I-PACE passes its first test with flying colours. This truly is a sports SUV, with zero compromise even when pushed. Racing curiosity sated, we use the buttons to toggle back to ‘normal’, likely to be most people’s default mode 90% of the time – and drive onto public roads. In this mode, Enhanced Brake Regeneration can help maximise your range by recovering braking energy once you lift your foot off the 18 THE JAGUAR

Head-turning design meets electrifying performance: the I-PACE feels right at home at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve circuit, where its dynamic handling sees it ace every test THE JAGUAR 19

 

JAGUAR MAGAZINE

 

Jaguar Magazine celebrates creativity in all its forms, with exclusive features that inspire sensory excitement, from beautiful design to cutting-edge technology.

In this issue, we explore the art of creativity from the Brazilian masters who devised the graceful art of Capoeira, to the Irish artists mixing new culture with old. You will also discover the creative line that links Victorian wallpaper to the iPhone. While the multi-talented actor and performer, Riz Ahmed, explains why it is the right time to reveal his true self to the world.

© JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED 2020

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The fuel consumption figures provided are as a result of official manufacturer's tests in accordance with EU legislation.
A vehicle's actual fuel consumption may differ from that achieved in such tests and these figures are for comparative purposes only.