The company’s first crossover, the F-Pace, closely resembles its lower-slung siblings and the CX-17 concept that first appeared two years ago. The production model is designed to “draw your eye from 200 meters away,” according to design director Ian Callum, however an Autocar report suggests the upcoming EV, potentially labeled the E-Pace, will be even more bold.
With a launch target of 2017, Jaguar’s battery-powered crossover will likely enter the market alongside a handful of rivals. Tesla plans to ramp up Model X production next year, ahead of rumored or confirmed competitors from Audi, BMW, Volvo and other premium marques.
To help the E-Pace rise above the crowd, Jaguar designers are said to have penciled in “the most flamboyant” styling elements from the C-X75. The plans allegedly explain why Jaguar used the C-X75 in the latest James Bond film, Spectre, despite having no immediate production plans for the supercar.
Engineers are reportedly considering in-wheel electric motors for a direct all-wheel-drive configuration, using technology developed by parent Tata, though the production model could use traditional driveshafts if the next-generation system isn’t quite ready to roll off the assembly line.
The crossover is believed to be built upon the same aluminum architecture that underpins the XE and F-Pace, with a range of approximately 300 miles and a UK price around £60,000 (~$91,000 USD).
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