Jaguar has introduced its new fully-electric SUV, the I-Pace to the South African market to play in the same electric stable as the BMW i3 and the soon to come Mercedes-Benz EQC.

The I-Pace comes with about 470km of driving range from a single battery charge, to put that into perspective, you could drive from Johannesburg, Sandton to Nelspruit in a single charge which we believe is highly impressive.

Speaking about the battery, it is a 90kWh Lithium-ion using 432 pouch cells that can be topped-up with a range of flexible charging types including 7.4kW wall box units installed in homes as well as public chargers.

Every I-PACE comes standard with a universal “occasional use” charging cable compatible with regular household sockets.

According to Jaguar, it takes 24 hours to charge the battery from 0-100%.

Optional 7.4kW wall box home charger installations are priced from R25 000 and will achieve the same result in around 12 hours, ideal for overnight charging.

Rapid public charging times will depend on respective charger capacities, but the most prevalent (in South Africa) 60kW types will charge an I-PACE from 0-80% in a maximum 72 minutes and add 100km range in 20 minutes.

The I-PACE is capable of accepting a charge capacity up to 100kW, which would enable 0-80% charges in under 40 minutes.

No engine but electric motors. The I-Pace features two electric motors that produce a BMW M2 threatening 294kW and 696Nm. That enables the I-Pace to sprint from 0-100km/h in just 4.8 seconds.

The I-PACE is available in S, SE and HSE derivatives alongside a First Edition, all inspired by the design of the original concept.

Jaguar I-PACE pricing:

Jaguar I-PACE S                                  R1,687,200

Jaguar I-PACE SE                              R1,745,400

Jaguar I-PACE HSE                          R1,820,900

Jaguar I-PACE First Edition           R1,920,700