The first official image of the E-Pace has been released by Jaguar ahead of its July 13 debut. It has the same LR-MS steel platform as the Land Rover Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque. The new, smaller SUV is expected to surpass Jaguar's hugely successful F-Pace in the market.
The car will use 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol and diesel Ingenium engines, including 163hp and 180hp diesels. The higher variants will be made available with 240hp, 2.0-litre diesel or a 250hp, 2.0-litre petrol. The E-Pace will come with either front or four-wheel drive and a choice of either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed auto gearbox.
It could also be the first model to receive Jaguar’s new hybrid powertrain. Its ‘MHEV’ system will combine a battery-powered electric drive motor and a three-cylinder 1.5-litre Ingenium diesel engine and would be shared with the Evoque and Discovery Sport.
The 5-seat E-Pace will lock horns with competitors like BMW X1 and Audi Q3. Though nothing has been announced yet, Jaguar is expected to launch its new SUV in India in 2018.