2020 Jaguar I-PACE
Jaguar South Africa has released an update for its all-electric I-PACE. This is the future happening right now, where manufacturers send updates to their cars instead of bringing them into the dealership for the additional features. Let’s take a look at what the update is all about.
The English manufacturer made headlines last year following the announcement of the I-PACE eTROPHY series – the world’s first-ever international all-electric production vehicle racing series. Jaguar has taken insights from their racing model, the I-PACE eTROPHY. They have refined the software of the road-going model to optimise several components of the fully-electric powertrain that have already been implemented on the racing model.
Stephen Boulter, I-PACE Vehicle Engineering Manager, said: “The Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY has generated a huge amount of data for us to analyse and those marginal gains, derived from competition on the track, are now being applied to customers’ cars to further enhance their driving experience. The new software updates optimise the powertrain control systems to improve efficiency and allow I-PACE drivers to travel even further on a single charge without any hardware changes – it really is a case of the vehicle getting better with age.”
Although the eTrophy is a race car, there isn’t a significant difference in power compared to the road-going I-Pace. The majority of its changes are chassis orientated. The I-PACE is Jaguar’s first fully-electric production vehicle and offers a range of up to 470-kilometers from its electric powertrain. The update, which will be sent to customers for free, will not officially increase the range on paper although customers can expect to achieve about 20-kilometers more range per charge.
Other changes include adjustments to the torque distribution between the front and rear motors to make the vehicle more efficient in ECO mode while retaining permanent AWD traction. There are also refinements to the temperature control management systems and the battery, which allow the battery to be run on a lower state of charge than before without affecting the vehicles driveability, performance or durability.
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FAQ
Q: What does the 2020 Jaguar I-PACE cost in South Africa?
The 2020 Jaguar I-PACE starts from around R1,850,000 in South Africa, making it one of the more premium electric SUVs on our market, but you're paying for that British luxury and cutting-edge EV tech.
Q: What is the range of the 2020 Jaguar I-PACE?
The I-PACE offers up to 470 kilometres of range on a single charge, and with the new software update, you can squeeze out about 20 extra kilometres, which is decent for our South African road trip needs.
Q: How fast does the Jaguar I-PACE charge?
The I-PACE can charge from 0 to 80% in about 40 minutes using a 100kW rapid charger, or you can top it up overnight at home using a standard wall box in around 12 hours.
Q: Is the 2020 Jaguar I-PACE reliable?
The I-PACE has shown decent reliability for an early electric vehicle, though some owners have reported software glitches and charging issues, but Jaguar's over-the-air updates help sort most problems without visiting the dealer.
Q: What are the main competitors to the Jaguar I-PACE in South Africa?
The I-PACE competes with the BMW iX3, Mercedes EQC, and Audi e-tron, though it stands out with its sportier styling and race-derived technology updates.
Should You Buy It?
The 2020 Jaguar I-PACE is worth buying if you've got around R1,850,000 to spend and want the most stylish electric SUV in South Africa. This British beauty combines proper luxury with impressive 294kW performance and a respectable 470km range that works for most South African driving needs. The over-the-air updates from racing tech make it feel properly futuristic, and you'll love the head-turning looks at the local shopping centre. However, at nearly two million rand, it's definitely a premium purchase that puts it out of reach for most buyers. If you can afford it and want to make a statement while going green, the I-PACE is a brilliant choice, but budget-conscious buyers should look at cheaper electric alternatives or wait for prices to drop on the used market.
