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Jaguar Ireland has confirmed that its new E-Pace compact SUV will arrive in Ireland in early December, with prices starting from €36,000.
The new car, designed to compete with the likes of the Audi Q3 and BMW X1, looks set to become Jaguar's best-selling new model. That €36,000 price is for a special introductory version, the E-Pace 2.0D i4 150hp, as normally prices would be around €2,000 higher than that.
"The E-Pace provides the best of both worlds: Jaguar sports car dynamics with compact SUV practicality and all at a very competitive price. The latest addition to our growing Pace family will attract a new generation of customers to the Jaguar brand and we look forward to introducing them to E-Pace in the coming weeks" said Gerard O'Farrell, Managing Director, Jaguar Land Rover Ireland.
The exterior styling draws on both the F-Pace SUV and the F-Type sports car, and has been called 'Jaguar's hot hatch.' It will be available with optional 21-inch alloy wheels, while inside, the touchscreen infotainment system includes Spotify music streaming and a wifi hotspot. There's also a new ten-inch touchscreen for the InControl Touch Pro infotainment system, and the option of a 12.3-inch digital instrument pack.
It's a surprisingly spacious car, mostly because unlike the larger F-Pace, which is made mostly of aluminium, the E-Pace is all-steel, which has allowed Jaguar to make the structure smaller, but the interior bigger. There's a 577-litre boot, and a long 2.6-metre wheelbase.
As an option, buyers can have Adaptive Dynamics that senses driver input, car body and wheel movements and pre-emptively loads the suspension and chassis and adjusts the damping for improved roll control and agility in all conditions.
The range-topping model will almost be a rival to the likes of the Volkswagen Golf R, with 300hp and four-wheel drive, and a 0-100km/h time of 6.4 seconds. The more basic 150hp diesel model has tax-friendly CO2 emissions of 124g/km.
There's also a big bundle of safety equipment, including a stereo camera that underpins the advanced Emergency Braking system, which also provides pedestrian detection and supports Lane Keep Assist and Traffic Sign Recognition, as well as the Adaptive Speed Limiter and Driver Condition Monitor features. Front and Rear Parking Aids are standard on every model. There's also blind spot assist and a pedestrian-impact airbag that inflates under the rear edge of the bonnet to help reduce head injuries.
For those with more active lifestyles there's the optional Activity Key - a waterproof wristband that allows you to lock and unlock the boot while you go swimming or surfing. There's also a maximum 1,800kg towing weight, ideal for those jet skis...
For one year from launch, Jaguar will offer a First Edition model, using either the 180hp diesel or the 240hp turbo petrol engine. It can be had in a unique colour - Caldera Red - with the option of black or white paint as well. Launch Edition models get satin-grey finish 20-inch alloys, Windsor leather with contrast stitching and a head-up display.