Tesla executives can start getting nervous now, the 2018 Jaguar I-PACE is currently completing final testing in Los Angeles.
The I-PACE SUV is Jaguar’s first electric car and will enter the market in the first half of 2018.
Jaguar engineers are overseeing final validation tests before the I-PACE (which should have a different name) enters production.
Ian Hoban, Jaguar Vehicle Line Director, said: "After 1.5 million global test miles, the I-PACE is ready for production and is proven to deliver long distances on a single charge. Jaguar's first battery electric vehicle will also be fast to charge; our target is a zero to 80 per cent charge being achievable in a short break."
Jaguar’s Australian arm tells us interest in the I-PACE is strong with thousands of potential buyers registering their details in anticipation of its release.
While Jaguar is a premium brand and the final price will reflect this fact and the development of the technology, we are hopeful the I-PACE is competitively priced. Affordability remains the largest impediment to market acceptance of electric cars.
Strong pricing will also force Tesla to look at repositioning the Model X.
Jaguar is also very unlikely to suffer the same production issues that have plagued Tesla’s expansion.
Full Australian specification and pricing for the Jaguar I-PACE will be announced in March 2018 when order books officially open.
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