Skip to main content

Jaguar's head-turning answer to the Tesla Model X might be just two years away

2016 Jaguar F-TYPE AWD R Convertible
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Rumors of an all-electric Jaguar became a lot more credible during the New York Auto Show.

“Within two years, we’ll have something that’s not driven by a petrol engine,” revealed Ian Callum, Jaguar’s design director, in an interview on the sidelines of the show.

Callum joked that the model will be powered by “a couple of hamsters,” but Autoguide believes he was referring to Jaguar’s first-ever battery-powered model. Earlier reports claim the British car maker is preparing to jump into the hotly-contested premium electric vehicle segment with a plug-in crossover tentatively called E-Pace that will slot right below the new F-Pace.

Likely built in Graz, Austria, by Magna Steyr, the E-Pace will ride on the same aluminum-intensive platform as the XE and the aforementioned F-Pace. It will wear a sportier design that will borrow more than a few styling cues from the experimental C-X75 supercar that starred in the newest James Bond film. Power will allegedly be provided by four electric motors mounted inboard, an innovative setup that promises to further set the E-Pace apart from its rivals.

All told, Callum’s comments raise more questions than they answer. The designer hinted that Jaguar will drop more information about its upcoming non-gasoline-burning model before the end of the year, and he said the company even has a big surprise in store for its fans. In other words, we could get a thinly-veiled preview of Jaguar’s first EV at either the Paris Auto Show or the Los Angeles Auto Show. Jaguar rarely shows concepts that aren’t close to production, so what you’ll see by the end of the year is what you’ll get in showrooms in two years’ time.

British magazine Autocar reports the Jaguar E-Pace will go on sale in 2017 with a base price of about £60,000, a sum that converts to roughly $85,000. When it lands, it will fight head-to-head against the Tesla Model X. While Jaguar is remaining quiet, Callum’s remarks suggest the rumors aren’t entirely unfounded.

Editors' Recommendations

Ronan Glon
Ronan Glon is an American automotive and tech journalist based in southern France. As a long-time contributor to Digital…
Best electric car charger deals: $100 off home charging stations
The handle of the Grizzl-E EV charger plugged into a vehicle.

A few years ago, electric vehicles were pretty rare or cost a fortune, but with more and more of the larger car brands getting into the game, there are a lot of excellent and even budget-friendly choices nowadays. That said, the electrical network for charging your cars might not be that widespread, so instead you'll have to rely on charging your car at home. Luckily, there are a lot of excellent car chargers at a discount, so if you've just bought an EV or want to upgrade your current charging solution, be sure to check out our favorite deals below.
Shockflo EV charger — $205, was $220

This EV charger by Shockflo is a Level 2 EV charger, which offers six times faster charging than a standard charger. It delivers 24 miles with just one hour of charging, and it can act as a mobile charger you can throw in the trunk or be mounted to a wall. It has an LCD display with useful information like charging rate, voltage, and charging time, as well as LED indicator lights that lets you know charging progress and errors.

Read more
Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more
Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Read more
Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs
Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.

Read more