Jaguar will launch the brand's first-ever SUV, the F-Pace, in India on October 20, 2016, in grand style. Company sources say a 60-foot mock-up of London's The Shard skyscraper is being constructed on Marine Drive in Mumbai for the F-Pace release, and Jaguar has commissioned sculptor Arzan Khambatta to bring it to life. The tallest building in the UK – 1,016 feet, with 95 floors – the Southwark structure looks like a shard of glass (hence, the name) and is a symbol of excellence in British engineering. Jaguar wants to convey the same superiority with the F-Pace at the India launch.

The F-Pace will initially be made available in two diesel options. The base model will get the 2.0-litre 180hp Ingenium diesel engine, which recently debuted in the XF sedan. The other is the 3.0-litre V6, which puts out a lusty 300hp and 700Nm of torque. There will also be a 2.0-litre 240hp petrol version, but not before February 2017.

The F-Pace is expected to launch in three trim levels – Pure, Prestige and R-Sport and limited-run First Edition. 

In terms of equipment, the base Pure trim gets features such as cruise control, 18-inch alloy wheels, two-zone automatic climate control, 10-way power adjust front seats, InControl Touch infotainment system, All-surface Progress Control system and brake pad wear indicator to name a few. The Prestige additionally gets Taurus leather upholstery, reverse-parking camera, headlamp washers, exterior chrome detailing and an auto-dimming internal rear-view mirror.

The R-Sport gets a different body kit, LED headlamps, 19-inch alloy wheels, mood lighting, larger front brakes, gesture-control tailgate, front seats with memory, electric-adjust steering column, reclining rear seat, a larger InControl Touch Pro infotainment system and surround-camera system.

The limited-run First Edition adds a panoramic sunroof, Meridian audio system, Windsor leather upholstery, and 20-inch alloy wheels to the mix.

UPDATE: Prices revealed

Jaguar has announced the prices for the F-Pace prior to the big launch event, with the 2.0-litre diesel versions (in Pure and Prestige trims) ranging between Rs 68.4 lakh and Rs 74.5 lakh (ex-showroom), and the 3.0-litre diesel (available in R-Sport and limited-run First Edition trims) priced at a significantly higher Rs 1.02 crore and Rs 1.12 crore. The F-Pace is a full CBU import for the time being and that would explain the high prices, but Jaguar seems to have missed an opportunity to take advantage of the depreciating British Pound, which could surely have translated to lower prices in India.

Jaguar F-Pace diesel prices (Ex-showroom):

Jaguar F-Pace Pure: Rs 68.4 lakh
Jaguar F-Pace Prestige: Rs 74.5 lakh
Jaguar F-Pace R-Sport Rs 1.02 crore
Jaguar F-Pace First Edition: Rs 1.12 crore