2018 Jaguar E-Pace: Signature British Style in a Bite-Sized Package [Video]

Jaguar’s mid-size F-Pace has driven a huge sales boom for the storied British marque since its introduction. Now, the company’s made the decision to expand even further into the market by introducing a smaller CUV into the hotly contested segment: the 2018 Jaguar E-Pace. Poised against rivals from luxury titans like BMW, Audi, and Mercedes, the E-Pace has plenty of charm, performance and tech to stand out from the crowd.

In today’s video from the French island of Corsica, TFLcar’s Roman Mica and automotive journalist Nik Miles try out Jaguar’s smallest crossover offering to date. Here are 10 most surprising things you need to know about the all-new Jaguar E-Pace!

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10) It’s not an off-roader, per se

Yes, the Jaguar E-Pace does have all-wheel drive. It technically can (and does) handle some light off-roading. It does also feature All Surface Progress Control (ASPC), a low-speed cruise control designed to maintain control in low-traction conditions.

But it’s not really what the E-Pace was primarily built for. Jaguar is focused more toward agile, exciting on-road performance, while Land Rover is meant to be more capable off the beaten path.

9) The Jaguar E-Pace is a baby F-Pace

It’s one letter below F, so it’s natural that the E-Pace is, in fact, a baby F-Pace. While the F-Pace is a full-grown cat, this is more of a cub. It’s built to compete against other small luxury crossovers like the BMW X1, Audi Q3, and Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class.

2018 Jaguar E-Pace
The Jaguar F-Pace sports a 2.0-liter turbo engine, in two available states of tune. [Photo: Jaguar]

8) This is a small, yet fast baby Jag

Despite the Jaguar E-Pace’s diminutive size, the R-Dynamic model still makes 296 horsepower from a 2.0-liter, turbocharged engine. As Jaguar shifts toward crossovers, in line with market demands, its important they still keep their performance cred. To that end, this “baby” Jag can still sprint to 60 in under 6 seconds.

7) The Jaguar E-Pace does have F-Pace DNA

The Jaguar E-Pace contains the DNA from Jaguar’s long motorsport history, as does its big brother, the F-Pace. With the F-Pace, they managed to create a successful crossover package that delivers the dynamics people want in a package they want. The E-Pace offers up some crossover practicality, yet maintains the torsional rigidity that makes it agile on the road.

6) Stuffed with technology

Jaguar fitted a 10-inch infotainment system into the all-new E-Pace crossoveer. It’s not the most responsive infotainment system in the world, but it certainly does everything you could want it to do.

There are also different drive modes, as you’d expect in a Jaguar. Apart from normal driving, there’s Eco, Dynamic, and a Rain, Ice and Snow setting.

5) It’s actually family friendly

By building such a small crossover offering, the Jaguar E-Pace is billed more toward small families. Those with growing children will make due just fine in the back. As you’d expect with a small vehicle, legroom can be a bit tight if you’re seating adults in the rear as well as the front.

4) 2.0 liters of growling, pouncing turbo power

There are two versions of the Jaguar E-Pace – each with the same 2.0-liter, turbocharged engine. The normal E-Pace puts out 246 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque. If you kick it up a notch, the R-Dynamic model makes 296 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Both engines feed all four wheels through a ZF 9-speed automatic.

3) The Jaguar E-Pace evokes its German competition

While the Jaguar E-Pace primarily squares off against the BMW X1 and X2, it evokes the qualities of its other German competition, like the Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class.

2) Two words: Torque. Vectoring.

The Jaguar E-Pace isn’t unique in having torque vectoring. However, the torque vectoring system it uses allows the car not only from front to back, but its rear wheels can also appropriate power from side to side. It’s predominantly front-wheel drive, which helps with fuel economy. However, with its Active Driveline, it can shove power to the back when the situation calls for it.

The E-Pace uses factors like throttle and steering input, cornering speeds, and driver selections to determine how best to shuffle the power around in various driving conditions.

2018 Jaguar E-Pace
[Photo: Jaguar]

1) It’s the least expensive crossover in the lineup

As it’s smaller than the F-Pace, you’d expect the Jaguar E-Pace to be less expensive. And it is – in fact, it’s the cheapest crossover in Jaguar’s lineup. Best part if you’re in the market – they’re available right now.

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SPECIFICATIONS: 2018 Jaguar E-Pace

On Sale: Now
Base MSRP: $38,600
Price as Tested: $53,100 (R-Dynamic HSE)
Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
Drivetrain (Layout): Front engine, all-wheel drive
Horsepower: E-Pace: 246 hp @ 5,500 RPM

R-Dynamic: 296 hp @ 5,500 RPM

Torque: E-Pace: 269 lb-ft @ 1,200-4,500 RPM

R-Dynamic: 295 lb-ft @ 1,500-4,500 RPM

Transmission: ZF 9-speed automatic
Suspension: Front: MacPherson strut w/ lower control arm, coil springs, passive dampers and passive anti-roll barRear: Integral multi-link w/ coil springs, passive dampers and passive anti-roll bar
Brakes: Front: 12.8-inch front rotor w/ 17-inch wheels, 13.7-inch rotor w/ 18-21-inch wheels

Rear: 11.8-inch rear rotor

Fuel capacity: 18.1 gallons
Fuel economy (EPA): E-Pace: 21 City/28 Highway/24 Combined MPG

R-Dynamic: 21 City/27 Highway/23 Combined MPG

Drag Coefficient: 0.34

Dimensions:

Wheelbase: 105.6 inches
Length:  173 inches
Width: 82.2 inches (mirrors folded out)
Height:  64.9 inches
Turning Circle: 37.4 feet
Curb Weight: E-Pace: 4,035 pounds

R-Dynamic: 4,175 pounds