Jaguar Makes Good on Sport Utility Promise With Pint-sized E-Pace

Matt Posky
by Matt Posky

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.

Matt Posky
Matt Posky

A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.

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  • Acd Acd on Jan 23, 2017

    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.

  • Speed3 Speed3 on Jan 23, 2017

    Give us a J-Pace! and a K-Pace and R-Pace etc etc.

    • See 1 previous
    • VoGo VoGo on Jan 24, 2017

      @OldManPants By my last count, Benz has 7, so... I expect JLR will keep rolling them out as long as there's a market.

  • Mike978 Mike978 on Jan 23, 2017

    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.

  • Sportyaccordy Sportyaccordy on Jan 24, 2017

    The subcompact CUV class is a bridge too far. Every time I see a Q3 I'm like "why not just a used Q5"

    • VoGo VoGo on Jan 24, 2017

      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.

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