JAGUAR I-PACE CONCEPT AT FRANKFURT

The Jaguar Future-Type is a battery-electric autonomous concept.

Even before its first battery-electric vehicle hits market, Jaguar Land Rover says it will adopt an all-electric strategy starting in 2020.

The process will begin late next year with the fully electric Jaguar I-Pace SUV. In 2020, the British-based, Indian-owned automaker says every Jaguar and Land Rover model will be offered with a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or pure battery-electric vehicle – or HEV, PHEV and BEV – option.

“We will introduce a portfolio of electrified products across our model range, embracing fully electric, plug-in hybrid and mild hybrid vehicles,” Chief Executive Ralf Speth said during the company’s “Tech Fest” event in London.

Automakers are coming under increasing pressure to electrify their product lines as governments around the world enact tougher emissions and mileage mandates. Britain, Norway, France and India are among those countries who have or expect to formally ban sales of new vehicles using internal combustion engines. Others, including Germany, are considering similar bans, while a number of cities in China have put in place restrictions meant to encourage sales of zero-emissions vehicles.

All automakers now have announced plans to add at least some battery-based models to their line-ups.

The concept version of the Jaguar I-Pace, which will become the brand's first all-electric model.

 The Jaguar I-PACE Concept has been named Most Significant Concept Vehicle of 2017 at the 16th North American Concept Vehicle Awards. As well as achieving the highest overall score to take away the top honor, Jaguar’s all-electric performance SUV also won the Production Preview Concept of the Year category. 

The awards, held at the Concours d’Elegance of America, recognize those vehicles most likely to shape the future of the automobile industry. More than two dozen jurors participated in a selection process that involved a total of 24 vehicles, each introduced to North America during this season's auto shows in Los Angeles, Detroit, Chicago, Toronto and New York. 

Praised for its beautiful and futuristic design, the I-PACE Concept was described by judge Ashly Knapp as a ‘landmark in automotive technology’. Juror Lauren Fix said, “Jaguar has completely improved the brand in so many ways, and the I-PACE Concept presents the new direction.”

One of the most visually arresting concepts ever produced by Jaguar, the all-electric performance SUV takes full advantage of the packaging freedom offered by electrification. It previews Jaguar’s first electric vehicle, the Jaguar I-PACE, which will be on the road in the second half of 2018.

At the 2016 L.A. Auto Show, the Jaguar side of JLR announced its first big step into electrification with the unveiling of the I-Pace. It will be roughly the same size as the conventionally powered E-Pace sport-utility vehicle Jaguar will soon launch, but feature an interior about the size of what’s inside the much larger F-Pace SUV. That’s because the I-Pace places its batteries and keep electrical components under the load floor, freeing up space normally used for the engine compartment to use for passengers and cargo.

“Electrification gives us the opportunity to tear up the rulebook,” Ian Callum, Jaguar’s design director, said at the L.A. show. “It allows us freedom of design like never before.”

This week a concept vehicle made its debut at the Tech Fest in London.
Beyond its batter-electric drive, the vehicle is fully autonomous and features a removable voice-activated steering wheel, dubbed “Sayer.” The Sayer steering wheel is equipped with artificial intelligence technologies that allow it to help you a whole lot more than just direct your vehicle. Indeed these steering wheels will be capable of keeping track of your meetings and calculating the optimal route to get to your desired destination. When brought into the home “knows what’s in your fridge and can even order your shopping or a pizza,” Jaguar Landrover  stated.

In addition to its artificial intelligence capabilities, the Sayer steering wheel also features a unique design akin to spaceship controllers from sci-fi movies, with Jaguar clearly determined to completely revolutionize both steering wheel functionality as well as design.

Even conventional JLR models, like this Land Rover Velar, will offer battery-based options.

There are still plenty of skeptics who question the pace at which motorists in the U.S. and other parts of the world will adopt battery-powered vehicles. But proponents believe that even without government mandates demand will grow in the coming years. They point to new products that are more affordable, longer-range, easier to charge and which offer substantial improvements in performance.

Tesla is forecasting demand for its new entry product, the Model 3, will reach 400,000 next year, with its older Models S and X boosting total demand to 500,000. Nissan Leaf has sold over 230,000 vehicles worldwide. They expect wit the improved Nissan Leaf close to 100,000 will sell in North America. GM, Ford, FCA, Audi, VW, Aston Martin, Mini, BMW all have electrical vehicles.  Volvo has stated all their vehicles will be electrified in the future.

All automakers now have announced plans to add at least some battery-based models to their line-ups. Even this last week Aston stated that all of that exotic brand’s products will be offered with either conventional hybrid or BEV options “by the middle of the 2020s.”

Every day technology for battery operated vehicles shows more promise. The technology is getting better and soon all manufacturers must offer hybrid or battery operated vehicles throughout the world.

Many Americans will have a hard time moving  from the gasoline or diesel vehicles but in other parts of the world as we have seen governments are mandating change to zero emission transportation.

BRUCE HUBBARD

BRADLEY HUBBARD

BONNIE LYNCH

AUTO ADVISOR GROUP

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