I-Pace is Ready to Recharge Jaguar

Auto Maker’s Head Designer Explains how the I-Pace Electric SUV will Redefine what We have come to Expect from the Iconic Brand

When we get a chance to pick the brains of the high-ups of the automotive companies, our favorite person to talk to is always the designer. These fine folks literally create the visual thing that we see. They have some of the deepest insight into the process, construction and decisions made to bring a car to market. Case in point is this insightful interview from Forbes with Ian Callum, the head of design for Jaguar.

Jaguar is a brand that lives and thrives on its legacy. It has deeply entrenched design ideas that make any car bearing the leaping cat distinctly a Jaguar. Despite that, the new I-Pace electric SUV, which is due in showrooms in 2018, throws many of those of those conventions out the window. Callum was coy stating, “I believe if you do this kind of Jaguar you have to be bold in the design. I wanted to create a design that reflected this change in the mechanics of the car.” To create a Jaguar different from any before requires a design like never before.

But our favorite bit is about the nose design. Jaguars have always had the aggressive and long hoods that convey a sense of power and speed. They provide a demanding visual presence, yet that is non-existent with the I-Pace. According to Callum it is all thanks to the new electric drivetrain. With no need to design space for a large engine, Callum and his team were able to create a look that is more “”exotic.” As a side effect, that shortened nose allowed for a stretched wheelbase and larger interior.

Despite losing some of the space to house a powerful engine, the new I-Pace shouldn’t be lacking in performance. Promised for the new high-riding EV is AWD, nearly 400 horsepower and a range of more than 200 miles.

We can’t wait to test it out.