Self-Driving Jaguar I-PACE Hits The Road
Jaguar Land Rover stole the electric vehicle spotlight this week after demonstrating their latest autonomous vehicle advancements by releasing a self-driving prototype of the Jaguar I-PACE onto the streets of Dubai. This gave the world a glimpse into the future of mobility while reaffirming Jaguar Land Rover’s commitment to pursuing their Destination Zero mission.
Jaguar decided to send in their top candidate for this demonstration, the 100% electric I-PACE – the current 2019 World Car of the Year and World Green Car of the Year. The prototype is built on the regular I-PACE but included modifications to its radars, cameras and its traffic light detection system to allow it to better interact with and react to other cars. The I-PACE’s speed, steering and acceleration was autonomously managed during the demonstration while it followed a detailed route on a high-definition map.
This isn’t Jaguar Land Rover’s first rodeo in the electric autonomous vehicle department. They’ve already completed real-world vehicle testing on intricate inner-city roads in the United Kingdom and are still consciously focused on researching and integrating innovative solutions toward their Destination Zero mission, which envisions a future with zero congestion, zero accidents and zero emissions. The fastest way to realise this future is through autonomous vehicles.
“Jaguar Land Rover shares similar goals to Dubai’s government with regards to mobility and sustainability. We both wish to make driving safer, to free up time we spend travelling, and to reduce the negative impact travel has on our planet,” commented Bruce Robertson, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover MENA.
“The Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport tackles these same important challenges head-on, and our autonomous Jaguar I-PACE prototype is proof positive of the impressive progress our company and industry are making.”
Also worth a look: the Jaguar TCS Racing Enters 8th Formula E Season with Top Drive and the Saying goodbye to Jaguar's beloved F-type.
FAQ
Q: What does the Jaguar I-PACE cost in South Africa?
The Jaguar I-PACE starts at around R1,650,000 in South Africa, though pricing varies depending on trim level and options, making it a premium electric SUV that competes with the Tesla Model X and BMW iX3.
Q: Is the Jaguar I-PACE worth buying?
The I-PACE is worth buying if you want a luxury electric SUV with 294kW of power, 470km range, and award-winning design, but only if you can afford the R1,650,000+ price tag and have access to reliable charging infrastructure.
Q: What is the range and performance of the Jaguar I-PACE?
The Jaguar I-PACE delivers 470km of range on a single charge, accelerates from 0-100kph in 4.8 seconds with 294kW of power, and can charge from 0-80% in about 40 minutes using a rapid charger.
Q: When will self-driving Jaguar I-PACE be available in South Africa?
There's no official timeline for self-driving I-PACE availability in South Africa, as the autonomous technology demonstrated in Dubai is still in prototype phase and faces regulatory hurdles before reaching production models.
Should You Buy It?
The Jaguar I-PACE is a brilliant electric SUV that proves luxury and sustainability can go hand in hand, but at R1,650,000+ it's strictly for those with deep pockets. If you're shopping for premium electric SUVs under R2,000,000 in South Africa, the I-PACE is your best bet with its 294kW power output, 470km range, and World Car of the Year credentials. However, most South Africans should wait for more affordable electric options or consider the upcoming self-driving tech as a future upgrade rather than a current purchase decision. Buy it if you're an early adopter with the budget, skip it if you're looking for practical electric transport under R1,000,000.
