Jaguar has introduced South Africa to the future of motoring with the first electric vehicle (EV) launched together with a rapid public charging network to enable long distance travel between city centres.
With a range of up to 470km from a single charge, the new Jaguar I-PACE offers a viable emissions-free solution to drivers who commute regularly but also enjoy longer journeys which until now have been outside the reach of EV travel.
A state-of-the-art 90kWh Lithium-ion battery using 432 pouch cells can be topped-up with a range of flexible charging types including 7.4kW wall box units installed in homes as well as public chargers along the Jaguar Powerway – a network of rapid chargers placed at various points of convenience such as shopping centres nationwide, along common inter-city routes and at every Jaguar Land Rover dealership in South Africa.
Brian Hastie, Electrification Team Leader, Jaguar Land Rover South Africa and sub-Sahara Africa, said: “For most I-PACE owners home charging means waking up to the equivalent of a full tank of fuel every day. Beyond this overnight charging habit, the Jaguar Powerway supports charging for long trips. We are already at the point where an electric car can be your everyday car.”
Every I-PACE comes standard with a universal “occasional use” charging cable compatible with regular household sockets. This method will achieve a 0-100% charge in around 24 hours. Optional 7.4kW wall box home charger installations priced from R25 000 will achieve the same result in around 12 hours, ideal for overnight charging.
Rapid public charging times will depend on respective charger capacities, but the most prevalent (in South Africa) 60kW types will charge an I-PACE from 0-80% in a maximum 72 minutes and add 100km range in 20 minutes. The I-PACE is capable of accepting a charge capacity up to 100kW, which would enable 0-80% charges in under 40 minutes.
It’s important to note that charging habits will differ greatly to refilling conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, meaning refilling should happen whenever possible, such as every night at home. Refilling ICE vehicles generally happens as fuel tanks approach low levels, while recharging EVs from low or 0% states of charge will be infrequent.
A suite of smart range-optimising technologies includes 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.
Two Jaguar-designed electric motors – which feature driveshafts passing through the motors themselves for compactness – are placed at each axle, producing exceptional combined performance of 294kW and 696Nm, and all-wheel-drive, all-surface traction.
The high torque density and high-energy efficiency characteristics of the motors deliver sports car performance, launching the I-PACE from a standing start to 100km/h in just 4.8 seconds. The instantaneous performance is matched with exceptional ride comfort and engaging driving dynamics.
The bespoke EV aluminium architecture uses advanced riveting and bonding technology to deliver a light, stiff body structure. Together with the structural battery pack, it has a torsional rigidity of 36kNm/degree – the highest of any Jaguar.
The battery is placed centrally between the two axles, and as low down as possible with a seal between the housing and the underfloor. This location enables perfect 50:50 weight distribution and a low centre of gravity: together with the advanced double wishbone front and Integral Link rear axle with (optional) air suspension and configurable Adaptive Dynamics, this delivers agile handling and outstanding ride comfort.
There will be nothing else on South African roads that look or drive like the Jaguar I-PACE. It is designed and engineered to take full advantage of its smart electric powertrain and maximise the potential of the packaging benefits it brings.
Its sleek, coupe-like silhouette is influenced by the Jaguar C-X75 supercar with a short, low bonnet, aero-enhanced roof design and curved rear screen. This cab-forward design contrasts with its squared-off rear, which helps reduce the drag co-efficient to just 0.29Cd. To optimise the balance between cooling and aerodynamics, Active Vanes in the grille open when cooling is required, but close when not needed to redirect air through the integral bonnet scoop, smoothing airflow.
Inside, the layout optimises space for passengers while sophisticated materials – including the option of a premium Windsor leather interior – and exquisite attention to detail identify this as a true Jaguar.
While a mid-sized SUV, I-PACE’s cab forward design and EV powertrain means interior space comparable to large SUVs. In the rear, legroom is 890mm while, with no transmission tunnel, there’s a useful 10.5-litre central storage compartment. In the rear, tablet and laptop stowage is found beneath the seats, while the rear luggage compartment offers a 656-litre capacity – and 1,453-litres with seats folded flat.
I-PACE introduces the Touch Pro Duo infotainment system to Jaguar. Utilising an innovative combination of touchscreens, capacitive sensors and tactile physical controls, Touch Pro Duo is intuitive to use.
To ensure owners always have access to the latest infotainment, telematics and battery energy control software, I-PACE will be the first Jaguar to provide software over-the-air – providing seamless updates.
As a responsible business Jaguar Land Rover is committed to delivering a cleaner future and has plans to prolong the life of its batteries from its electric vehicle with new recycling partnerships and second life energy storage trials.
The I-PACE is available in S, SE and HSE derivatives alongside a First Edition, all inspired by the design of the original concept.
Jaguar I-PACE pricing:
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
Jaguar Powerway
Jaguar, in partnership with electric vehicle charging authority GridCars, announced the rollout of the Jaguar Powerway in September, 2018. The national matrix of rapid public charging stations currently sees more than 85 stations in the country’s major hubs and along frequently-travelled holiday routes.
The R30-million infrastructure investment makes day-to-day travel, as well as longer day trips and even very long journeys possible for owners of electric vehicles, such as the new Jaguar I-PACE.
In addition to the publicly available charging stations installed in customer parking areas at every Jaguar Land Rover retailer in South Africa, a total of 30 public charging stations have been erected at various points of convenience, such as shopping centres, in the country’s major hubs including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London and Bloemfontein.
South Africa’s city centres are now also connected by a series of charging stations along the N3 between Gauteng and Durban and the N1 between Gauteng and Cape Town. Cape Town will also be connected to the Garden Route with a series of charging stations along the N2 all the way to East London.
The majority of charging stations on the public network are 60kWh fast chargers, meaning 100km of range will take around 20 minutes for Jaguar I-PACE owners. A charge from 0 to 80% will take a maximum 72 minutes.
Every charging station is also equipped with a 22kWh AC fast charger to accommodate plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) such as the new Rand Rover and Range Rover Sport PHEV models. The AC standard Type 2 socket will allow charging of all EVs currently available in South Africa. The DC charger is fitted with the CCS DC type socket used by the vast majority of EVs in SA and globally.
Jaguar Land Rover owners will use an RFID card to activate the charging station and manage electricity billing to the card. Cards can be credited with simple EFT payments, much like cell phone airtime top-ups. Charging station electricity rates will also be discounted by 25% for all Jaguar Land Rover EV or PHEV owners.
Like petrol, the price of electricity fluctuates, but for now the rate for 1kWh on the card will be between R3 and R3.50 depending where in South Africa it’s redeemed. With a 90kWh battery, a full recharge in an I-PACE will cost between R270 and R315 – a fraction of the fueling costs of conventional internal combustion engine vehicles.
Richard Gouverneur, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover South Africa and sub-Sahara Africa said: “Introducing the new I-PACE together with a network of easily accessible public charging stations is a milestone for motoring in South Africa. Jaguar wholeheartedly believes that electrification will play a major role in the future of this country, and the Powerway brings us closer to our cleaner, sustainable vision.”
Provided by Jaguar SA
