IT’S always a special treat when you drive a Jaguar. Recently, I had a double treat when I took the all-new Jaguar F-Pace R-Sport 2.0 Diesel for a weekend drive.
The Jaguar F-Pace is the first performance SUV with the DNA of a sports car and the fastest-selling model of the British brand of Jaguar Land Rover. It is now in the Philippines through the efforts of Coventry Motors Corp.
Buoyant looks and gentlemanly character give this SUV a unique road presence, which is unmistakably Jaguar. The F-Pace R-Sport 2.0 Diesel is trimmed with grained black grille with satin chrome surround and body-colored R-Sport with satin black finishers, as well as Xenon Headlamps with LED Signature and automatic leveling.
The sleek LED headlights feature daytime running lights with Jaguar’s signature “J” Blade graphic. The slender LED fog lights were developed with TV screen optics, and light tubes to deliver superior packaging, and an exceptionally smooth, homogeneous light source.
I had difficulty every time I stepped inside the vehicle because of its low roofline and high hip point, however, the interior, which blends Jaguar’s well-known elegance and sportiness into a leading-edge design, more than makes up for this minor inconvenience.
Inside the five-seater F-Pace are seats wrapped in two-tone Taurus Leather with Sports Perforation and multifunction R-Sport steering wheel in Soft Grain Leather. Jaguar’s cosseting sports seats are shaped to provide exceptional comfort and support, and are available with 10-way adjustment and four-way lumbar support. The F-Pace has seating memory functions—one of my favorite features because it allowed me to achieve a great driving position with good outward visibility.
The vehicle is inspired by the F-Type, which offers a unique combination of Jaguar sports car exterior design, fused beautifully with a thoroughly practical and spacious class-leading luxury interior space, and a 650-liter luggage compartment.
The F-Pace’s cabin features easy-to-reach secondary controls, and paddle shifters. Large dual-zone climate control buttons are easy to use, as well as the 8-inch central touchscreen display for both the driver and the front passenger—featuring intuitive user interface and crisp clear graphics that supports smartphone, and tablet gestures, such as “swipe” and “drag” to navigate around apps. Where fitted, turn-by-turn instructions can also be shown in the head-up display, leaving the driver free to concentrate on what matters most—the road ahead.
The F-Pace comes standard with Bluetooth phone connectivity and audio streaming, an 11-speaker (including a subwoofer) audio system, in-dash navigation, and USB and auxiliary inputs.
Release handles in the trunk and atop each rear seatback can drop the 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats to a nearly flat position, which will create a very spacious room. Door pockets can accommodate large bottles, while storage spaces scalloped into the sides of the center console were designed around smartphones and feature non-slip rubber inserts at the bottom.
The cabin also offers 12V sockets, and USB ports, in both the cubby box and rear consoles, with cupholders integrated into the rear armrest on most models.
This 2.0d Jaguar F-Pace R-Sport is an all-wheel drive, which is powered by an eight-speed transmission that delivers 180 hp with a top speed of 208 hp from 4,000 to 5,500 rpm. As a result, the vehicle delivers an impressive acceleration, which reaches 100 km/h in just nine seconds with a very decent fuel economy.
The F-Pace integrates a host of safety features, including six air bags for both driver and passengers. The medium-range sensors can make overtaking safer by warning the driver of other vehicles approaching fast from behind. As they approach the blind spot, a flashing icon appears in the door mirror to alert the driver of the potential danger. As the vehicle enters the blind spot, the icon becomes solid.
The same medium-radar sensors can help to improve safety at slower speeds, too. When reversing out of parking spaces, the radar detects and warns the driver of other vehicles approaching from either side.
To help the driver park in even the tightest spaces, the F-Pace offers semi-automated park assist functions for parallel and bay parking maneuvers.
The Jaguar F-Pace, along with the F-Type, are the only two vehicles of Jaguar offered in the country with an R-Sport 3.0 Supercharged Petrol engine. The F-Pace is also offered with a Prestige 2.0 Diesel—one of the most powerful yet most fuel efficient engines in its class, as well as a Prestige 2.0 Petrol.
The Jaguar F-Pace has won the prestigious World Car of the Year and World Car Design of the Year titles at the 2017 World Car Awards.
With outstanding capability and performance, coupled with its luxurious and refined design that is unparalleled in its segment, the Jaguar F-Pace is truly the perfect vehicle for the driven urbanite.
Image credits: Lou Pearson