Jaguar is giving the F-Pace a baby brother and, unfortunately, it is going to continue the company’s terrible SUV-naming trend and dub it the E-Pace — a moniker it probably should have reserved for the all-electric I-Pace concept. Sized as a compact crossover, its existence meshes with Jaguar’s current modus operandi and brand manager Steven de Ploey’s promise to expect “a family of SUVs.”
Destined to be a direct competitor for the Audi Q3 and BMW X1, the E-Pace is Britain’s attempt to get a piece of the freshly-baked pie that is the compact crossover segment.
While every sighting of the small SUV has been under full camouflage, it can be gleaned that the E-Pace’s rather compact front-end means it is probably stuck with a transversely mounted engine — the most likely candidate being a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder shared with the Range Rover Evoque or Land Rover Discovery Sport. Currently, that mill makes 240 horsepower, though its Ingenium engine family replacement could make up to 300 hp. Due to sizing limitations, it’s also almost assured to share a platform with those Rover models. There is also the possibility of the E-Pace making use of the 2.0-liter diesel found in the Jaguar XE.
Interestingly, one of the European test mules was rumored to be licensed as a 2.0-liter diesel-electric hybrid.
Jaguar isn’t likely to show off the petite CUV anytime soon, though it will probably have an unveiling sometime later this year and a 2018 production date.
I think “F-Pace” is kind of catchy and cool.
But “E-Pace” – or anything starting with “E” these days – makes me think it’s an EV, which it isn’t.
Looks like all the sub-compact utility vehicles are going to become the “midsize” offerings as more and more of these miniature utility vehicles hit the streets. Look at how big a CR-V or Rav4 looks next to something like a Honda HR-V.
Well, given how the F-Pace looks (good), I’m expecting this to look pretty good as well – as long as they don’t make it too stumpy.
Compact crossovers…making hatchbacks cool again!
Hatchbacks aren’t cool. These are crossovers! They just look like wagons and hatchbacks.
They sure don’t look like SUVs.
I never would have thought that the term “family of SUV’s” referred to Jaguar but apparently that’s what it takes to keep the lights on at Jaguar these days.
Give us a J-Pace! and a K-Pace and R-Pace etc etc.
How many bloody Paces are there?
By my last count, Benz has 7, so… I expect JLR will keep rolling them out as long as there’s a market.
Although the use of the term “pace” is abit odd the use of F or E does link the CUV with the respective sedan offering.
Jaguar obviously have taken note of their monthly sales in the US trebling with the addition of the F-Pace (excluding the new XE). A trend probably seen in other markets.
The F-Pace is large for its segment (bigger than an X3) so a E-Pace, if it follows that trend, should still be useable. Shame it wont come with the standard 340hp V6 – which allows the F-Pace to have 100hp more than the comparably priced X3 or GLC.
The subcompact CUV class is a bridge too far. Every time I see a Q3 I’m like “why not just a used Q5”
Because 99% of the time, it’s just me driving, and I don’t need all that space. I just want to sit up high and have cargo flexibility to accommodate the active lifestyle I aspire to.