Jaguar NZ is playing an A game with competitive E-Pace pricing

JAGUAR’S first compact crossover has been priced combatively against three primary well-established German foes here.

The new E-Pace premium small SUV set to arrive in force from April 1, though orders are being taken now, will price from $69,990 before on-roads, a potential wake-up call for Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, whose all-paw versions of the Q3, X1, and GLA are seen as key competitors.

The E-Pace entry model is the D150 S diesel. Another oiler, the D-180 R-Dynamic S, is the next step model, at $79,990. Jaguar New Zealand will also provision petrol options spanning four different models in two outputs, starting with a P250 S at $74,900 and going up to the R300 R-Dynamic SE at $89,990. R-Dynamics editions sport a different body style to the mainstream offer.

The baby crossover is expected to overtake the F-Pace to become the British brand’s best-selling model locally.

Jaguar NZ general manager Steve Kenchington says the model “combines SUV practicality with Jaguar performance … we are really excited about bringing this performance SUV to NZ.”

All editions have transversely-mounted Ingenium four-cylinder engines and are underpinned by an all-wheel-drive system and a nine-speed automatic transmission.

The AWD aspect is why the incoming BMW X2 is not likely to be considered a foil – the two X2 editions being sold here undercut the base E-Pace, but only avail in front-drive.

The E-Pace D150 is powered by a 110kW/380Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine, enabling a zero to 100kmh sprint time of 10.5 seconds, an average fuel consumption rating of 5.6 litres per 100km and carbon dioxide emissions of 147 grams per kilometre.

The D180 provides outputs of 132kW/430Nm, while the 0-100kmh sprint is cut to 9.3s with fuel economy and emissions. Fuel burn and emissions are identical to those cited for the D150.

The E-Pace can also be had with a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol P250 engine producing 183kW/365Nm. It ticks off the 0-100kmh run in 7.0s, has best overall economy of 7.7L/100km and expels 174g/km of CO2. There’s also a 221kW/400Nm P300, which is the sprint star with a claimed 0-100kmh time of 6.4s, cited consumption of 8.0L/100km and emissions of 181g/km of CO2.

The base E-Pace configuration covers 17-inch wheels, automatic LED headlights, heated side mirrors, fabric seats, leather steering wheel, six-speaker sound system, automatic wipers, dual-zone climate control, tailgate spoiler, All Surface Progress Control (ASPC), push button start, 10.0-inch Touch Pro infotainment system, autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, and front and rear parking sensors.

S grades gain 18-inch wheels, daytime running lights, leather interior, 10-way power adjustable front seats, puddle lamps, folding side mirrors, auto-dimming rearview mirror, satellite navigation, 360-degree cameras, rear traffic monitor and Wi-Fi hot spotting.

The SE nets 19-inch wheels, automatic high beam headlights, powered tailgate, 14-way adjustable front seats, 11-speaker sound system, high-speed emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and blind spot assist.

HSE versions have 20-inch wheels and feature a kick-to-open tailgate, keyless entry, 18-way adjustable front seats and head-up display.

R-Dynamic versions have a bodykit, satin chrome highlights around the gloss black front grille and front fog-lights. The interior changes include a different steering wheel, black gearshift paddles and headlining, sports seats, and metal pedals.

The car’s design is said to be influenced by the F-Type sports car. Like all current Jaguars, the sizeable rounded grille plays a dominant role in the frontal design.

Despite the E-Pace being a relatively compact car, with little rear overhang, it still manages to fit in a 577-litre boot, which, with the 60/40 split folding rear seats, can grow to 1,234 litres.

To create the chassis for the E-Pace, Jaguar delved into other JLR models for the best bits. The front is a modified version of that found in the Land Rover Discovery Sport, while the rear end uses the same design as the more substantial F-Pace only scaled down slightly to suit the E-Pace's body.

Extensive use of boron through the sills and around the car makes it not only 20 percent stiffer than a Land Rover Discovery Sport, but places it as the second stiffest car in the Jaguar range after the F-Type.

The trade-off is in weight: There has been plenty of media comment about this model is heavier than the physically larger F-Pace.