The 8-percent Solution: Range Boost Incoming to Jaguar I-Pace Owners

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

Maybe electric racing does have something to offer the common man. Jaguar credits its Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy race series (outside makes need not apply) for returning data that proved useful in eking out additional range from the electric crossover’s 90 kWh battery pack.

As things are all very modern in 2019, all Jag needs to do to pass the fruits of that knowledge on to consumers is fix them up with a software update.

According to Jag, the racing series showed the brand how to maximize mileage by optimizing thermal management, regenerative braking, and torque distribution between the front and rear wheels (at least when the all-wheel drive system is set to “ECO”).

Following the update, which is available for free at dealers, owners and buyers of new I-Paces can expect up to 12 additional miles of gas-free driving. In this business, range is more important than horsepower in wrestling customers away from the comfortable embrace of internal combustion.

“It really is a case of the vehicle getting better with age,” said Stephen Boulter, the model’s vehicle engineering manager, in a statement.

If only that sentiment applied to the I-Pace’s sales.

After debuting the 234-mile crossover in 2018, global sales hit a snag in the summer of 2019, with numerous media reports pointing to growing inventories caused by falling sales. While the summertime slump seems to have eased in the U.S. over the past two months (October was the model’s best month to date, with 306 sold), a similar rebound cannot be seen in Europe. December 2018 remains (by far) still the model’s best sales month in that region.

Despite the uphill battle all EV makers face in winning over the public, the I-Pace seems to hold a range advantage over fresh-faced German rivals competing in the same space. The Audi E-Tron carries an EPA rating of just over 200 miles, while the upcoming Mercedes-Benz EQC is expected to return about 230 miles on the American driving cycle.

[Image: Jaguar Land Rover]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • Conundrum Conundrum on Dec 09, 2019

    Although Magna can screw the furniture and bodywork together competently for Jaguar, the company seems to have the usual nightmare electronics problems unrelated to the third party assembly, and it isn't due to Lucas which died back in 1996 to give their name to a spare parts brand like Mopar. If you visit I-Pace forums, you get to see what great pleasures Jaguar has in store for new owners. There doesn't seem to much doubt about it, Tesla is way ahead on integrating battery capacity with power electronics to drive their superior motors. The rest of 'em have to play catchup.

  • Jeff S Jeff S on Dec 09, 2019

    They sold 306 of these in October? I am surprised they sold that many. Didn't know that many would not have heard about Lucas Electronics and an Indian made vehicle made by the same company that brought the World the Nano.

  • Dartdude The bottom line is that in the new America coming the elites don't want you and me to own cars. They are going to make building cars so expensive that the will only be for the very rich and connected. You will eat bugs and ride the bus and live in a 500sq-ft. apartment and like it. HUD wants to quit giving federal for any development for single family homes and don't be surprised that FHA aren't going to give loans for single family homes in the very near future.
  • Ravenuer The rear view of the Eldo coupe makes it look fat!
  • FreedMike This is before Cadillac styling went full scale nutty...and not particularly attractive, in my opinion.
  • JTiberius1701 Middle of April here in NE Ohio. And that can still be shaky. Also on my Fiesta ST, I use Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires for the winter and Bridgestone Potenza for my summer tires. No issues at all.
  • TCowner We've had a 64.5 Mustang in the family for the past 40 years. It is all original, Rangoon Red coupe with 289 (one of the first instead of the 260), Rally Pac, 4-speed, factory air, every option. Always gets smiles and thumbs ups.
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