Jaguar F-PACE 2.0 Diesel (A) First Drive Review
23 May 2016|87,936 views
Unpopular choices aren't exactly bad ones, although we are sure there are reasons why they remain unpopular. Arrogance, demanding women, marriage, stationwagons, smoking, and the list goes on and on.
Diesel-powered cars, evidently in Singapore, fall into that list of unpopular choices. While a handful of them, such as the BMW 1 Series Hatchback Diesel, have been selling relatively well, most buyers are still naysayers when it comes to the alternate fuel choice.
20-inch 'blackout' shoes look good and aggressive on the SUV
The other brand that has been doing relatively well is Jaguar. In a country that sells more petrol-powered cars than in Singapore, diesel-powered car sales make up 20 percent of the British carmaker's total sales in 2015.
This little success of Jag's could just be a good thing for the carmaker because the F-PACE that you see here, powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel powerplant, will be the entry-level model when it arrives in July.
Up close and Personal
At 4,731mm x 1,936mm x 1,651mm (L x W x H), the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) looks every bit as athletic as a bodybuilder and every bit as sporty as the F-TYPE, with sleek head and taillights and a chiselled body that's bigger than the Audi Q5, the BMW X3 and the Porsche Macan. As a result, what you'd get is ample road presence, with eyes of envy staring at you as you drive past folks along the walkway.
Diesel-powered cars, evidently in Singapore, fall into that list of unpopular choices. While a handful of them, such as the BMW 1 Series Hatchback Diesel, have been selling relatively well, most buyers are still naysayers when it comes to the alternate fuel choice.
The other brand that has been doing relatively well is Jaguar. In a country that sells more petrol-powered cars than in Singapore, diesel-powered car sales make up 20 percent of the British carmaker's total sales in 2015.
This little success of Jag's could just be a good thing for the carmaker because the F-PACE that you see here, powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel powerplant, will be the entry-level model when it arrives in July.
Up close and Personal
At 4,731mm x 1,936mm x 1,651mm (L x W x H), the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) looks every bit as athletic as a bodybuilder and every bit as sporty as the F-TYPE, with sleek head and taillights and a chiselled body that's bigger than the Audi Q5, the BMW X3 and the Porsche Macan. As a result, what you'd get is ample road presence, with eyes of envy staring at you as you drive past folks along the walkway.
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The 1,775kg Jag SUV, which consists of an 80 percent aluminium body structure, is also based on the similar architecture as the XE as well as XF sedans. But considering how SUV attributes have been adapted to fit the F-PACE's desired ground clearance and suspension, over 80 percent of the the car's components are new.
While this may sound like as if Jaguar has planned to build something that's all form without function, it's really not the case. Step inside the F-PACE and the abundance of space is nothing short of compelling. In fact, space at the rear benches will fit three adults without fuss. Boot space - at 650 litres - is easily the biggest in its segment, matching even cars that are a class above it.
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The Drive
Mated to the ubiquitous and smooth-shifting ZF-engineered eight-speed automatic transmission, the entry-level 2.0-litre turbocharged oil-burner whisks out 180bhp and a generous dose of 420Nm of torque, allowing the car to finish the century sprint in a respectable 8.7 seconds before maxing out at 208km/h.
The only complain we have is the slightly low levels of refinement. Grumpy diesel noises are apparent when the engine is ignited and there are more when it is pushed hard, although it does settle down once you're up and running on a steady cruise.
The F-PACE Diesel is good for short bursts around town
That said, the F-PACE is certainly no slouch when it comes to handling and dynamism. Thanks to a well-weighted steering that's precise and responsive, every move of your arms impart the feel of eagerness as the approachable steering reacts keenly to turn-ins and sudden lane changes.
More impressively, despite its biggish dimensions, body control is remarkable - even more so than most of the cars in its class - which further entices you to take on hairpin turns and long curvy roads with more courage and confidence.
Mated to the ubiquitous and smooth-shifting ZF-engineered eight-speed automatic transmission, the entry-level 2.0-litre turbocharged oil-burner whisks out 180bhp and a generous dose of 420Nm of torque, allowing the car to finish the century sprint in a respectable 8.7 seconds before maxing out at 208km/h.
The only complain we have is the slightly low levels of refinement. Grumpy diesel noises are apparent when the engine is ignited and there are more when it is pushed hard, although it does settle down once you're up and running on a steady cruise.
That said, the F-PACE is certainly no slouch when it comes to handling and dynamism. Thanks to a well-weighted steering that's precise and responsive, every move of your arms impart the feel of eagerness as the approachable steering reacts keenly to turn-ins and sudden lane changes.
More impressively, despite its biggish dimensions, body control is remarkable - even more so than most of the cars in its class - which further entices you to take on hairpin turns and long curvy roads with more courage and confidence.
Unlike the Jaguar F-PACE 3.0 S V6 Supercharged First Edition that we tested as well, the diesel variant rides on smaller and more comfortable 20-inch wheels. During a long and winding off-road trail, it's evident that only bigger undulations can upset the SUV's ride quality, but harsh vibrations and jolts are never felt in the cabin.
2.0-litre Ingenium diesel powerplant is a 'genius' at work
Conclusion
The Jaguar F-PACE is seriously capable by SUV standards. Not only does it excel in the space department, it scores high for its dynamic driving character.
The car should retail in the mid-$200k mark when it arrives in July. And when it does, it wouldn't come across as a surprise if it significantly grows the Jaguar brand, even if it's an unpopular choice of being an oil-burner in Singapore.
Conclusion
The Jaguar F-PACE is seriously capable by SUV standards. Not only does it excel in the space department, it scores high for its dynamic driving character.
The car should retail in the mid-$200k mark when it arrives in July. And when it does, it wouldn't come across as a surprise if it significantly grows the Jaguar brand, even if it's an unpopular choice of being an oil-burner in Singapore.
Unpopular choices aren't exactly bad ones, although we are sure there are reasons why they remain unpopular. Arrogance, demanding women, marriage, stationwagons, smoking, and the list goes on and on.
Diesel-powered cars, evidently in Singapore, fall into that list of unpopular choices. While a handful of them, such as the BMW 1 Series Hatchback Diesel, have been selling relatively well, most buyers are still naysayers when it comes to the alternate fuel choice.
The other brand that has been doing relatively well is Jaguar. In a country that sells more petrol-powered cars than in Singapore, diesel-powered car sales make up 20 percent of the British carmaker's total sales in 2015.
This little success of Jag's could just be a good thing for the carmaker because the F-PACE that you see here, powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel powerplant, will be the entry-level model when it arrives in July.
Up close and Personal
At 4,731mm x 1,936mm x 1,651mm (L x W x H), the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) looks every bit as athletic as a bodybuilder and every bit as sporty as the F-TYPE, with sleek head and taillights and a chiselled body that's bigger than the Audi Q5, the BMW X3 and the Porsche Macan. As a result, what you'd get is ample road presence, with eyes of envy staring at you as you drive past folks along the walkway.
Diesel-powered cars, evidently in Singapore, fall into that list of unpopular choices. While a handful of them, such as the BMW 1 Series Hatchback Diesel, have been selling relatively well, most buyers are still naysayers when it comes to the alternate fuel choice.
The other brand that has been doing relatively well is Jaguar. In a country that sells more petrol-powered cars than in Singapore, diesel-powered car sales make up 20 percent of the British carmaker's total sales in 2015.
This little success of Jag's could just be a good thing for the carmaker because the F-PACE that you see here, powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel powerplant, will be the entry-level model when it arrives in July.
Up close and Personal
At 4,731mm x 1,936mm x 1,651mm (L x W x H), the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) looks every bit as athletic as a bodybuilder and every bit as sporty as the F-TYPE, with sleek head and taillights and a chiselled body that's bigger than the Audi Q5, the BMW X3 and the Porsche Macan. As a result, what you'd get is ample road presence, with eyes of envy staring at you as you drive past folks along the walkway.
The 1,775kg Jag SUV, which consists of an 80 percent aluminium body structure, is also based on the similar architecture as the XE as well as XF sedans. But considering how SUV attributes have been adapted to fit the F-PACE's desired ground clearance and suspension, over 80 percent of the the car's components are new.
While this may sound like as if Jaguar has planned to build something that's all form without function, it's really not the case. Step inside the F-PACE and the abundance of space is nothing short of compelling. In fact, space at the rear benches will fit three adults without fuss. Boot space - at 650 litres - is easily the biggest in its segment, matching even cars that are a class above it.
The Drive
Mated to the ubiquitous and smooth-shifting ZF-engineered eight-speed automatic transmission, the entry-level 2.0-litre turbocharged oil-burner whisks out 180bhp and a generous dose of 420Nm of torque, allowing the car to finish the century sprint in a respectable 8.7 seconds before maxing out at 208km/h.
The only complain we have is the slightly low levels of refinement. Grumpy diesel noises are apparent when the engine is ignited and there are more when it is pushed hard, although it does settle down once you're up and running on a steady cruise.
That said, the F-PACE is certainly no slouch when it comes to handling and dynamism. Thanks to a well-weighted steering that's precise and responsive, every move of your arms impart the feel of eagerness as the approachable steering reacts keenly to turn-ins and sudden lane changes.
More impressively, despite its biggish dimensions, body control is remarkable - even more so than most of the cars in its class - which further entices you to take on hairpin turns and long curvy roads with more courage and confidence.
Mated to the ubiquitous and smooth-shifting ZF-engineered eight-speed automatic transmission, the entry-level 2.0-litre turbocharged oil-burner whisks out 180bhp and a generous dose of 420Nm of torque, allowing the car to finish the century sprint in a respectable 8.7 seconds before maxing out at 208km/h.
The only complain we have is the slightly low levels of refinement. Grumpy diesel noises are apparent when the engine is ignited and there are more when it is pushed hard, although it does settle down once you're up and running on a steady cruise.
That said, the F-PACE is certainly no slouch when it comes to handling and dynamism. Thanks to a well-weighted steering that's precise and responsive, every move of your arms impart the feel of eagerness as the approachable steering reacts keenly to turn-ins and sudden lane changes.
More impressively, despite its biggish dimensions, body control is remarkable - even more so than most of the cars in its class - which further entices you to take on hairpin turns and long curvy roads with more courage and confidence.
Unlike the Jaguar F-PACE 3.0 S V6 Supercharged First Edition that we tested as well, the diesel variant rides on smaller and more comfortable 20-inch wheels. During a long and winding off-road trail, it's evident that only bigger undulations can upset the SUV's ride quality, but harsh vibrations and jolts are never felt in the cabin.
Conclusion
The Jaguar F-PACE is seriously capable by SUV standards. Not only does it excel in the space department, it scores high for its dynamic driving character.
The car should retail in the mid-$200k mark when it arrives in July. And when it does, it wouldn't come across as a surprise if it significantly grows the Jaguar brand, even if it's an unpopular choice of being an oil-burner in Singapore.
Conclusion
The Jaguar F-PACE is seriously capable by SUV standards. Not only does it excel in the space department, it scores high for its dynamic driving character.
The car should retail in the mid-$200k mark when it arrives in July. And when it does, it wouldn't come across as a surprise if it significantly grows the Jaguar brand, even if it's an unpopular choice of being an oil-burner in Singapore.
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