I-Pace Jaguar virtually here

Ray Massey
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Jaguar takes aim at Tesla market

A scene-stealing Jaguar had a host of stars to help launch its new 200 mph (321km/h) electric car in Hollywood last week.

On the eve of the Los Angeles Motor Show, the Jaguar I-Pace car grabbed the most attention.

Having long traded on its bad boy image, Jaguar aims to make electric cars desirable.

Jaguar says it has “torn up the rule book” with the I-Pace to create a svelte zero emissions five-seater that combines “supercar looks, sports car performance and sports utility space” in one car that can be charged at home from the domestic mains.

Priced in Britain from the equivalent of $107,000, the final version comes off the production line next year for deliveries in 2018.
Launch guests included comedian James Corden, actresses Michelle Rodriguez and Mischa Barton, models David Gandy and Miranda Kerr, actor Vinnie Jones and TV host Jay Leno.

It also featured a world-first transatlantic virtual reality unveiling with guests worldwide (including me in London) who used headsets to “sit inside” the car and watch the 360-degree view as it was “built” around them. It's the same sort of technology used by the car's designers and engineers.

Jaguar aims to take market share from Elon Musk's Tesla-X SUV, which has a similar starting price.

The I-Pace accelerates from rest to 60mph (96km/h) in four seconds, with a battery life of about 300 miles (480km). A full charge takes two hours. It features permanent, all-wheel-drive from two electric motors, one attached to each axle, that together deliver 400 bhp — equivalent to four Ford Fiestas.

Jaguar in New Zealand will soon begin taking orders for the I-Pace.

-Daily Mail