Jaguar I-Pace and new-gen Land Rover Defender to be launched in India in 2020
The updated Jaguar XE was launched in India at Rs 44.98 lakh, wherein the premium sedan has been given cosmetic additions, features updated and BS VI compliant petrol and diesel engines. It is at this event that the company confirmed its plans of launching the all-electric I-Pace and the  new-gen Land Rover Defender in the coming months. Both these offerings will be imported as CBU into the country.
The Jaguar I-Pace is powered by electric motors located on the front and rear axles giving it AWD capabilities. Together, these motors generate an output of 400PS and 700Nm, propelling the car from 0-100kmph in around 4 seconds. The I-Pace, with its 90kWh battery and a drag coefficient of just 0.29, according to Jaguar can do more than 500km on a single charge. Jaguar claims that the lithium-ion battery charges easily and quickly with 80-percent charge achieved in just around 90 minutes. Jaguar has incorporated technologies which have been developed from their experience in the Formula E racing series, and has said that the I-Pace will be a true Jaguar and a true driver's car.
The introduction of electrified vehicles in Jaguar Land Rover India's portfolio is in line with the government's thrust towards electric vehicles. The company is encouraged by the introduction of FAME-II by the Government of India and it focus on expansion of the charging infrastructure in the country. This is bound to help with faster adoption of all kinds of Electric Vehicles in due course, mentioned Rohit Suri, president and managing director, Jaguar Land Rover India Ltd. (JLRIL) earlier this year.
The new Defender sits on the all-new D7X platform, not shared with any other Land Rover. This is aluminium monocoque structure three times stiffer than body-on-frame cars. The live-axle suspension has also been replaced by independent ones with air suspension available on higher trims. Two wheelbase lengths are available, the three-door 90 and five-door 110. Adding off-roading capability to this is the permanent all-wheel drive, a twin-speed automatic gearbox, centre differential and an optional active locking rear differential. Notable new off-roading tech is the debut of the fully configurable Terrain Response system. Land rover's ground-view camera is also available, which show the area usually hidden by the bonnet. This new architecture gives the Defender a ground clearance of 291mm and approach, departure and break over angles of 38, 28 and 40 degrees respectively for the 110 version. There's also 900mm of wading depth on offer through the new wade program in the Terrain Response 2 system. More details on the Land Rover Defender here.