Jaguar F-Pace: Coming in 2016

Photographs of the practical and stylish sports crossover showed that it has remained close to the striking C-X17 concept which attracted so much interest at Frankfurt two years ago. Its precise mechanical make-up has still to be revealed, however, although it is expected to share several all-new diesel and petrol engines with stablemates such as the Jaguar XE saloon and the Land Rover Discovery Sport.

These will include JLR’s new ‘Ingenium’ four cylinder units but there are rumours of a supercharged 3.0 litre V6 as well (one of which has been photographed in situ) and possibly even a similarly aspirated 5.0 litre V8.

The interior of the F-Pace is also still shrouded in mystery. The driving position is sure to be more car-like than many more traditional off-roaders but the clear expectation is that Jaguar will use the launch to unveil an entirely new look for its luxurious cabin.

JLR Director of Design Ian Callum has previously made reference to the challenges his team faced in shaping the new vehicle while retaining elements of the F-type. Initial ideas for the company’s first crossover design, he says, were “quite difficult and disappointing. The profile, the 200-metre view, was the hardest bit, and that’s what sells cars.”

Equally challenging is the company’s determination to take the fight to rivals such as the Porsche Macan and BMW X4. This indicates a price of £35,000-50,000 and means Jaguar will soon find itself competing in two of the most hotly contested sectors. With the XE going up against the likes of the BMW 3-Series, and Callum confident that with the F-Pace ‘’we cracked it in the end,” the pair could become Jaguar’s best-selling models.

Finally an annual development spend of £3.5 billion over the next few years means the F-Pace is unlikely to be Jaguar’s only SUV. With the first sales still to be made there are already rumours that a smaller BMW X1 rival is set to join Jaguar’s crossover family.