On Saturday, 7 May, Jaguar South Africa will take the wraps off the All-New Jaguar F-PACE – marking the official local debut of this highly anticipated SUV at the 2016 Jaguar Simola Hillclimb.
Jaguar’s first-ever SUV is set to be unveiled to the public during a pause in the racing activities, giving both spectators and racers a chance to see its grand entrance. Following this it will make its maiden voyage up the Simola hill to the display area in Gasoline Alley.
“We’ve previously used the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb to introduce new models, but the level of anticipation for the F-PACE makes this the most exciting unveiling, yet,” says Lisa Mallett, Marketing Director of Jaguar Land Rover South Africa and sub-Sahara Africa. “This is Jaguar’s first sports utility vehicle. It offers drivers everyday practicality and vast amounts of space, while remaining every bit a Jaguar when they get behind the wheel.”
There will be a range of Jaguar’s leading diesel and petrol engines on offer. Ensuring that it retains Jaguar’s sporting credentials are the F-TYPE-derived double wishbone front suspension and sophisticated Integral Link rear suspension.
The F-PACE offers heated- and electrically reclining rear seats, InControl Touch Pro infotainment system, a 12.3-inch HD virtual instrument cluster, and a laser head-up display. The SUV will also introduce Jaguar’s revolutionary Activity Key – a wearable accessory (almost watch-like) that also serves as a key fob, designed for those with active lifestyles.
Power will be transferred through Jaguar’s torque-on-demand all-wheel drive (AWD) system yet, featuring the Intelligent Driveline Dynamics (IDD) system first developed for the Jaguar F-TYPE R AWD Coupé. According to the manufacturere, ‘IDD preserves rear-wheel-drive agility and handling character but can seamlessly transfer torque to the front wheels to exploit the performance benefits of extra traction, on all surfaces and in all weathers.‘