Well-off Indians looking for a luxury EV will soon have a new option – the Jaguar I-Pace. The zero-emissions SUV will launch on March 9, 2021. That’s four months after the official bookings opened. It is up for grabs in three trim levels – S, SE and HSE. You can even visit Jaguar India’s website and configure the I-Pace as per your liking.

Even if you choose the I-Pace in its entry-level form, it will come loaded with features. The list includes 19-inch alloy wheels, two-zone automatic climate control, 8-way powered front seats, LED headlamps with auto levelling tech, Hill Launch Assist, Pivi Pro infotainment system and a 380-watt Meridian sounds system. In the range-topping form, the same list offers additional stuff like 16-way electrically-adjustable front seats, a head-up display, an 835-watt Meridian sound system, Matrix LED headlamps and adaptive cruise control.

No matter which variant you choose, the I-Pace will come with the same powertrain. It comprises of two electric motors, jointly producing 395bhp/696Nm. That’s enough for a 0-100kmph sprint time of 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 200kmph. Feeding the powerplant with the required juice is a 90kWh lithium-ion battery. According to WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure), the I-Pace can cover up to 470km on a single charge.

Obviously, the Jaguar I-Pace supports for slow and fast charging. Using a 7kW (AC) charger, the EV will take at least thirteen hours to replenish its battery completely. Plug it to a 50kW DC feed, and it can gain 63km of range in fifteen minutes of charging time. Find a 100kW charging feed, and the I-Pace will double that range in the same amount of time.

Once launched, the I-Pace will compete directly with the Mercedes-Benz EQ which, in 400 4MATIC form, costs Rs 1.04 crore. Soon, Audi will join the bandwagon of all-electric luxury e-SUV with the launch of the e-tron. That should happen by the end of the year.