RACE TO THE FUTURE - Jaguar I-PACE
Jaguar’s all-electric performance SUV is the first vehicle to win three categories in the same year
The all-electric Jaguar I-PACE has completed an historic treble at the 2019 World Car Awards. Not only has it won the coveted 2019 World Car of the Year and World Car Design of the Year titles – equalling the success of the F-PACE in 2017 – it has also been named World Green Car.
I-PACE is the first model ever to win three World Car titles in the 15-year history of the awards.
This latest win for the I-PACE, awarded at the New York International Auto Show by a panel of 86 motoring journalists from 24 countries, comes just weeks after it claimed the European Car of Year title, and affirms its status as the most desirable premium electric vehicle (EV) in the world.
Prof. Dr. Ralf Speth, Chief Executive Officer, Jaguar Land Rover, said: “It is an honour that the Jaguar I-PACE has received these three accolades from the prestigious World Car jurors.
“We started with an ideal, to move towards our Destination Zero vision; zero emissions, zero accidents and zero congestion. I-PACE is our first step to achieving this, and it was conceived when EVs were little more than a niche choice. So we started from a clean sheet of paper to create a new benchmark - the world's best premium electric vehicle, and a true Jaguar driver's car. For I-PACE to be awarded 2019 World Car of the Year, World Car Design of the Year and World Green Car gives our first all-electric vehicle the ultimate recognition it deserves. I would like to thank the team who have created I-PACE for their passion in making it so outstanding.”
Designed and developed in the UK, I-PACE is attracting new customers to the Jaguar brand, for many of whom it will also be their first EV – to date, over 11,000 customers in more than 60 countries worldwide including South Africa have taken delivery. Its combination of sports car performance, zero emissions, exceptional refinement and true SUV practicality make I-PACE the stand-out choice in its segment.
Ian Callum, Jaguar Director of Design, who was in New York to accept the awards, said: “Designing Jaguar cars is probably the best job in the world, and I can honestly say that no other project I’ve worked on has been as rewarding as I-PACE. Electric vehicles offer designers unprecedented freedom to rethink the proportions, the profile and the packaging, and it’s an opportunity that my team has exploited in full. Winning the 2019 World Car Design of the Year award, as well as World Car of the Year and World Green Car, is true recognition for their achievements.”
The I-PACE’s dramatic, cab-forward profile, short overhangs and taut, muscular haunches give it a sense of drama which set it apart from other SUVs. The spacious interior – enabled by the bespoke electric vehicle architecture – is finished with beautiful premium details and exacting Jaguar craftsmanship.
I-PACE has a state-of-the-art 90kWh lithium-ion battery and delivers a range of up to 470km (WLTP cycle). It’s capable of charging from 0-80% in a maximum 72 minutes (60kW DC), or takes around 12 hours to achieve the same state of charge when using a domestic wallbox (7.4kW AC) - ideal for overnight home-charging.
A suite of smart, range-optimising technologies also include a battery pre-conditioning system: when plugged in the I-PACE will automatically raise (or lower) the temperature of its battery to maximise range ahead of driving away.
The I-PACE has also earned a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating. The body structure provides high levels of occupant protection, and is complemented by technologies designed to protect other road users and pedestrians, including a deployable bonnet and autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection.
The premium electric vehicle has received 62 awards since it was revealed little more than a year ago, including European Car of the Year, German, Norwegian and UK Car of the Year, BBC TopGear magazine EV of the Year, China Green Car of the Year, and Autobest’s ECOBEST Award.
The Jaguar I-PACE is available to order in South Africa now, can be configured at www.jaguar.co.za, and is priced as follows:
Jaguar I-PACE S R1 687 200
Jaguar I-PACE SE R1 745 400
Jaguar I-PACE HSE R1 820 900
Jaguar I-PACE First Edition R1 920 700
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FAQ
Q: What does the Jaguar I-PACE cost in South Africa?
The Jaguar I-PACE starts at around R1,850,000 in South Africa, making it one of the pricier electric SUVs on our market but you're paying for proper British luxury and that award-winning design.
Q: How far can the Jaguar I-PACE drive on a single charge?
The I-PACE delivers up to 470 kilometres of range on a full charge, which is plenty for most South African road trips and daily commuting without range anxiety keeping you awake at night.
Q: How fast does the Jaguar I-PACE accelerate?
This electric cat rockets from 0-100 kph in just 4.8 seconds thanks to its 294 kW electric powertrain, proving that going green doesn't mean going slow.
Q: Is the Jaguar I-PACE reliable and worth the money?
The I-PACE has proven itself globally with multiple awards and over 11,000 happy customers worldwide, though like any luxury EV, service costs and parts availability in SA can be pricey.
Q: What are the main competitors to the Jaguar I-PACE in South Africa?
The I-PACE goes head-to-head with the BMW iX3, Mercedes EQC, and Audi e-tron, but none of them have won three World Car Awards in the same year like this Jag.
Should You Buy It?
The best luxury electric SUV for early adopters with deep pockets is the Jaguar I-PACE at R1,850,000, and yes, you should absolutely consider it if you've got the budget. This isn't just any electric SUV, it's a triple World Car Award winner that combines proper Jaguar performance with zero emissions motoring. The 470 km range handles most South African journeys, the 4.8-second 0-100 kph time will embarrass plenty of petrol cars, and you'll be driving something genuinely special that turns heads at every robot. However, this is still early-adopter territory with a premium price tag and limited charging infrastructure outside major cities. If you're ready to go electric, have R1.8 million to spend, and want the most awarded EV on the planet, the I-PACE is an absolute yes.
