Jaguar has unveiled its first-ever all-electric vehicle; the I-PACE Concept car. Said to symbolise the start of a new era for Jaguar the car is a production preview of the Jaguar I-PACE, which will be revealed next year and on the road in 2018.
The car takes advantage of its bespoke electric architecture to apparently have ‘supercar looks, sportscar performance, and SUV space’.
“The I-PACE Concept represents the next generation of electric vehicle design,” explained Ian Callum, director of design. “It’s a dramatic, future-facing cab-forward design with a beautiful interior the product of authentic Jaguar DNA, electric technology and contemporary craftsmanship.”
Powerhouse
Beneath the skin of the I-PACE are ‘state-of-the-art’ electric motors, paired to a 90kWh lithium-ion battery pack that were both designed in-house by Jaguar Land Rover. JLR states that for rapid charging, using a typical public 50 KW DC charging network, a full charge will take just over 2 hours. Enough to deliver more than 220 miles range (measured on the US EPA test cycle) or more than 500 km range (measured on the European NEDC test cycle).
Charging is easy and quick, with 80% charge achieved in 90 minutes and 100% in just over two hours using 50kW DC charging.
“Electric vehicles are inevitable Jaguar will make them desirable. Zero emission cars are here to stay and the I-PACE Concept is at the cutting edge of the electric vehicle revolution,” added Ian Hoban, vehicle line director, Jaguar Land Rover. “As the charging infrastructure continues to develop globally and with enough range to mean most people would only need to charge once a week cars like the I-PACE Concept will make drivers appreciate that an EV can be rewarding and practical enough to drive every day.”
Energy storage in the I-PACE Concept is a liquid-cooled 90kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The battery’s housing is lightweight aluminium and forms an integral part of the I-PACE Concept’s body structure. The battery uses pouch cells, which JLR states were selected for ‘their energy density, superior thermal performance due to lower internal resistance, and because of the design freedom they afford’.
Unlike some competing cell formats, pouch cells also offer excellent future development potential, especially in terms of energy density this will enable greater range for a given size of battery, or will deliver similar range to today but from a smaller, lighter pack.
The pack is liquid-cooled using a dedicated two-mode cooling circuit. In moderate ambient temperatures the battery improves efficiency by relying only on a radiator to remove the heat generated by the cells. At higher temperatures a chiller linked to the vehicle’s main air conditioning system provides greater cooling capacity to keep the battery in optimum condition.
Energy efficiency is further enhanced by integrating a heat pump into the climate control system. The use of a heat pumpover a conventional system has resulted in an increase the I-PACE Concept’s range by up to 50km; even in freezing winter conditions.
Despite the substantial range and emissions-free motoring offered by the I-PACE Concept, JLR is also keen to promote the driving experience also offered. The I-PACE has electric motors operating on both the front and rear axles. The combined output is 400PS and 700Nm of torque the same torque rating as the F-TYPE SVR giving the all-electric SUV-sized car a predicted 0-100kph time of around four seconds.
