2016 Jaguar F-PACE: New Details, Sale Date Announced [Photo Gallery]

2016 Jaguar F-PACE

The Frankfurt International Auto Show (IAA) is less than three weeks away and Jaguar has released new photos and details before the production version is unveiled. The F-PACE is Jaguar’s first SUV, and its been seen in concept form, cold testing in Northern Sweden, hot weather testing in Dubai, and in the Tour de France as the support car for Team Sky.

Underneath the sleek body is Jaguar’s Lightweight Aluminum Architecture, the same underpinnings as the XE sedan. Taking full advantage of the body structure’s inherently high stiffness, the sophisticated double wishbone front suspension and Integral Link rear suspension, the new F-PACE is expected to be incredibly responsive and agile. Jaguar said its new F-Pace will offer driving dynamics “unlike anything else in the segment” as the UK brand, which is known for its sports cars, takes aim at the Porsche Macan and BMW X4 with its first SUV-styled crossover.

The crossover will contribute to the revival of Jaguar and sister brand Land Rover under the ownership of India’s Tata Motors, which bought the brands from Ford Motor in 2008.

By emphasizing on-road performance Jaguar is being careful not to make the F-Pace a direct competitor to the similarly sized Range Rover Evoque SUV from its sibling brand Land Rover.

Jaguar did not detail engine options for the F-Pace. Likely, it will have the same engines offered in the XE. The core engines are expected to be the new four-cylinder Ingenium gasoline and diesel units. A supercharged 3.0-liter V6 version is also likely, according to reports.

Ian Callum Jaguar F-PACE reveal at 2015 NAIAS

The Jaguar F-Pace will go on sale in early 2016 in global markets including Europe and the U.S.

Earlier this year, the F-PACE was caught on this prototype hunting video while high altitude testing.

Watch this quick TFLcar prototype hunting video from one of the highest mountain roads in the Rocky Mountains.