A Perfectly Sized "Baby Jaguar" for the Japanese Market

"Today's star, the E-Pace, we call the 'baby Jaguar'," introduced Magnus Hansson, President of Jaguar Land Rover Japan, at the launch event. "This has two meanings: first, its compact size. Second, it represents a new generation of Jaguar." He added, "As a compact performance SUV, the E-Pace combines driving dynamics with practicality, making it a perfect fit for the Japanese market."

The E-Pace measures 4,410mm in length, 1,900mm in width, and 1,650mm in height. This makes it 330mm shorter in length than the company's SUV, the " F-PACE" which debuted in 2017, achieving its compact dimensions. The exterior, with its long wheelbase and short overhangs, features design elements inspired by the pure sports car " F-TYPE", such as a large front grille, J-blade LED headlights, a sleek, flowing roofline, and teardrop-shaped side windows.

The engine lineup includes two versions of the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder INGENIUM gasoline turbo, producing 249ps/365Nm and 300ps/400Nm respectively, as well as a 180ps/430Nm 2.0-liter 4-cylinder INGENIUM turbo diesel. The transmission is Jaguar's first 9-speed automatic.

All grades are equipped with an AWD system that precisely controls torque distribution between the front and rear wheels. Combined with a reinforced MacPherson strut front suspension and the F-PACE's integral link rear suspension, it delivers Jaguar's signature sporty handling.

The high-performance gasoline models come standard with the Active Drive Line. This system distributes 100 percent of torque to the front wheels during steady cruising and instantly (within 0.3 seconds) transfers it to the rear wheels when AWD is required. It can allocate up to 100 percent of torque to the rear wheels based on grip levels, improving fuel efficiency and ensuring stable driving. Furthermore, torque vectoring distributes torque to the outer rear wheel during cornering, generating yaw rate (rotational motion) and enabling performance akin to an RWD sports car.

Sporty and Playful Design

The interior features a wraparound cockpit that clearly separates the driver and front passenger areas. Unlike the rotary dial shifter found in the brand's sedans, it is equipped with a SportShift Selector, similar to the F-TYPE.

The 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, "InControl Touch Pro," now includes 4G connectivity for enhanced communication. Through a smartphone app, users can remotely lock/unlock doors, control the air conditioning, and check driving history and vehicle status. In emergencies, it can connect to Smart Roadside Assistance and SOS Emergency Call.

The removable cup holder in the center console can accommodate a small tablet or five to six 500cc bottles. The front door pockets are also sufficiently deep, offering ample storage space.

The luggage compartment is 1.3 meters wide, offering a capacity of 577 liters, which expands to 1,234 liters when the rear seats are folded. Additionally, graphics depicting a mother and cub jaguar are subtly integrated into the corners of the front windshield and in the approach lights that illuminate the ground from the door mirrors. This playful design, appealing to female drivers, is featured throughout the vehicle.

The lineup consists of standard and R-Dynamic models for each of the three engine types mentioned. These are further combined with S, SE, and HSE trims (the 300ps gasoline model does not have a standard trim). Additionally, a limited-edition "FIRST EDITION" grade, available only for the 2018 model year, is offered for the 250ps gasoline and diesel variants, resulting in a total of 24 models. The FIRST EDITION comes standard with 20-inch alloy wheels, ebony Windsor leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, and a head-up display.

The new E-PACE will directly compete with C-segment SUVs such as the Mercedes-Benz " GLA", BMW's " X1", Audi's " Q3", and Volkswagen's " Tiguan". Pricing for the E-PACE ranges from 4.51 million to 6.73 million yen for the diesel models, 4.75 million to 6.97 million yen for the 250ps gasoline models, and 6.05 million to 7.59 million yen for the 300ps gasoline models. The First Edition is priced at 7.38 million yen for the diesel and 7.64 million yen for the 250ps gasoline.