To make the F-Pace SUV handle properly, Jaguar rummaged through its parts bin

By Stephen Edelstein August 26, 2015

Jaguar F-Pace handling — Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Jaguar F-Pace will debut next month at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show as the brand’s first SUV, but the carmaker claims it will be a Jaguar that happens to be an SUV, not an SUV that happens to be a Jag.

Sporty handling is a must when it comes to the luxury sedans Jaguar has expertise in developing, and the firm claims the F-Pace will have a similar character. That’s thanks in part to a chassis design and certain bits of hardware cribbed from other Jaguar models.

Naturally, this crossover will have all-wheel drive, but it will also feature brake-based torque vectoring, based on the system used in the F-Type sports car. Systems like these apply the brakes to individual wheels in order to shunt power around, which improves handling. Lessons learned from the F-Type also helped engineers tune the electric power steering, Jaguar says.

Like other recent Jaguar models, the F-Pace will ride on an aluminum platform. Jaguar is a big proponent of the lightweight material, which has been used in XJ sedans and other limited-volume models for years.

Jag hopes aluminum will cut weight enough to significantly increase fuel economy and sharpen handling, while still allowing for the F-Pace to be loaded up with luxury and tech toys.

Thanks to copious teasing of camouflaged prototypes, we already have a pretty good idea of what the F-Pace will look like. It should be relatively unchanged from the original C-X17 concept from the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, meaning it will probably look like an XE that’s having a bad allergic reaction.

The engine lineup will probably be similar to that of other models from Jaguar and sibling brand Land Rover. The company’s 3.0-liter supercharged V6 will most likely be the sportiest option, with smaller turbocharged four-cylinder engines from the new Ingenium line filling out the roster.

The Jaguar F-Pace debuts at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show September 15, and goes on sale next year.

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Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

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