Jaguar J-Pace SUV images surface three years after it was cancelled

First pictures of what would’ve been the Jaguar J-Pace SUV have surfaced online, thanks to our sister publication Autocar UK. The images give us a first glimpse of the SUV that was cancelled three years ago.

1. J-Pace would have shared Range Rover’s MLA platform
2. Was planned to get a traditional-looking interior
3. New Jaguar GT concept to debut on December 2

Jaguar J-Pace: what do the leaked images reveal?

The leaked images give us a hint that the development of the J-Pace SUV was at an advanced stage when the project was cancelled. The J-Pace would have been a sibling model to the current Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, being built on the same MLA 'flex-fuel’ platform.

The studio model that is seen in these images was built primarily to demonstrate the J-Pace’s interior and its packaging to company management, according to an insider. That means little of the final exterior styling can be seen, but the J-Pace’s appearance would have clearly been strongly related to the F-Pace, which remains the only Jaguar model currently in production.

However, the J-Pace's interior, seemed almost complete. Compared to today’s screen-focused designs, the J-Pace’s interior looks surprisingly classy, with a strong traditional luxury theme that extends to the seats and door trims. The version seen in these pictures seems to have a dashboard dominated by wood trim, though sportier aluminium and carbon trims would probably have been optional.

Dimensionally, the J-Pace would be closely related to today’s Range Rover, being just over 5 metres in length. It would also have offered the same range of straight-six and V8 petrol and diesel mild-hybrid engines, and the option of plug-in hybrid powertrains as well. 

Had the J-Pace reached showrooms, an all-electric version would have probably also been launched a year later. A 7-seater version was also rumoured. It would have been built at the JLR plant in Solihull UK, alongside the Range Rovers. It’s not known why JLR decided to cancel the J-Pace though mediocre sales projections could have been one reason.

Jaguar is all set to enter a new era as a brand and will take the wraps off a four-door all-electric GT concept on December 2.