2017 Jaguar F-Pace Preview

Exterior Features

Ian Callum, Director of Design for Jaguar, said that the F-Pace is influenced by the F-Type sports car, appearing “assertive yet not aggressive.” Built upon lightweight aluminum architecture, the F-Pace employs aluminum body panels and a composite liftgate. Jaguar says the design is aerodynamically optimized for low drag and high-speed stability.

Interior Features

Leather, wood, and metal dominate the F-Pace’s interior, which features what Jaguar calls a “sports command” driving position. The reclining rear seat is specifically positioned and shaped to accommodate 3 people, and Jaguar goes out of its way to note that children will enjoy a good view out of the vehicle.

Behind the 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat, the F-Pace supplies 23 cu. ft. of cargo space. The cargo floor is carpeted on one side, and rubber on the other side for carrying pets or wet items. Fold the seat flat for 61.4 cu. ft. of volume.

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Optional FeaturesFor detail regarding safety and technology options, please see the sections below. In addition, Jaguar has announced upgrades including a 4-zone automatic climate control system, 14-way power-adjustable front sport seats with heating and ventilation, adaptive LED headlights, and forged aluminum wheels measuring 22 in. in diameter.

Under the Hood

Initially, the new F-Pace will borrow a couple of supercharged, 3.0-liter V-6 engines from the F-Type sports car. In base, Premium, Prestige, and R-Sport trim, it will make 340 horsepower. In S and First Edition trim, it generates 380 horsepower. A 2.0-liter, turbodiesel 4-cylinder engine will arrive after launch, providing 180 horsepower, 317 lb.-ft. of torque, and better fuel economy, Jaguar says.

An 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters is standard, as well as a torque-on-demand all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. Under normal conditions, it powers the F-Pace’s rear wheels. When necessary, Intelligent Driveline Dynamics precisely meters delivery of up to 50% of engine power to the front wheels.

Standard All-Surface Progress Control is based on Land Rover technology, handling the throttle and brakes while the driver concentrates on steering in difficult off-road situations. Working like a cruise control system, this technology operates between 2.2 mph and 19 mph.

Jaguar engineered the F-Pace to Land Rover standard in many respects. As a result, it offers 8.4 in. of ground clearance, approach and departure angles measuring 25.5 degrees or greater, and 20.7 in. of wading depth. Drivers can manually activate the standard Low Traction Launch function, which provides progressive torque response from the engine for smooth launches on slippery surfaces.

As an option, Adaptive Surface Response adapts the F-Pace’s throttle mapping, transmission, and stability/traction control system to the type of surface the SUV is traversing. Choices include settings for snow and ice, wet grass or gravel, and deep snow and gravel.

Jaguar intends for the F-Pace to be driven primarily on paved roads. Standard torque vectoring automatically applies subtle braking (predominantly to the inside rear wheel) to control vehicle understeer during corner entry. Variable-ratio electric steering delivers precise, linear response, according to Jaguar.

Adaptive Dynamics is optional, a continuously variable damping suspension designed to improve the SUV’s ride and handling. Configurable Dynamics technology is a part of Adaptive Dynamics, offering Dynamic and Normal settings for the throttle, transmission, steering, and adaptive suspension.

Safety

Stereo camera technology provides a 3D forward view that informs several of the F-Pace’s safety technologies. They include forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, a lane-departure warning system with lane-keeping assist, and traffic sign-recognition technology that cross-references what it sees with GPS data stored in the navigation system.

A driver-selected over-speed warning function is also available, and an Intelligent Speed Limiter automatically adjusts the F-Pace’s speed to local speed limits when the cruise control system is used. Driver Condition Monitoring keeps watch for drowsy drivers, and the F-Pace is available with a blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic detection.

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TechnologyStandard equipment on the 2017 F-Pace SUV includes an InControl Touch infotainment system with an 8-in. touch screen supporting gesture recognition. An optional, SD-card navigation system is available, featuring 2D and 3D maps, fast response times, and turn-by-turn directions when the F-Pace is equipped with a head-up display.

InControl Remote and InControl Protect service plans are included as part of Jaguar’s Elite Care program, providing remote smartphone access to various vehicle features, automatic collision notification, emergency calling capability, and more. InControl Wi-Fi access is also available.

As an option, the F-Pace can be fitted with an InControl Touch Pro infotainment system. It features a 10.2-in. display, 60GB solid-state drive, quad-core processor, and Ethernet network access for fast response and processing.

With this system, the navigation function automatically checks the SUV’s fuel level against the destination and planned route, automatically displaying gas stations along the way if it determines that fuel will be required. The system can text or email other people with your current location and estimated time of arrival, and can send updates if you’re going to be late. A Commute Mode learns your daily driving pattern, compares it to historical and real-time traffic information, and suggests alternative timesaving routes. InControl Touch Pro can even direct you to the closest parking lots once you have arrived at your destination.

A 17-speaker, 825-watt surround-sound audio system is included with InControl Touch Pro. Additional upgrades include Park Assist for parallel and perpendicular spaces, adaptive cruise control with traffic assist, laser head-up display, and a 12.3-in. HD instrumentation screen with four different themes.

Activity Key technology debuts with the F-Pace, allowing the owner to leave the primary key locked in the car while he or she plays. Waterproof and shockproof, this wristband device locks the vehicle, disables the key left inside the vehicle, and unlocks the vehicle after a workout.