Jaguar’s all-new E-Pace, as unveiled this week, is ‘exclusively’ powered by Jaguar Land Rover’s Ingenium family of engines, which are paired to either a nine-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission.
The lightweight family of all-aluminium 2.0-liter powertrains offer, as JLR states, ‘outstanding performance, refinement and fuel efficiency’. The E-Pace range is available in five outputs (three diesel and two petrols) ranging from 150ps and 380Nm in the base diesel, through to 300ps and 400Nm in the range topping petrol.
An entirely clean-sheet design, all Ingenium engines are based around a deep-skirt aluminium cylinder block featuring thin-wall, press-fit cast-iron liners, whilst fuel is fed to the combustion chambers by a high-pressure system. Variable geometry turbochargers create a rapid build-up of torque from low revs, with maximum torque spread over a wide rev range for better response and acceleration.
The front-wheel-drive derivative of the E-Pace features a unique version of the 150ps diesel powerplant with low-flow injectors to achieve fuel efficiency figures of 4.7l/100km (60.1mpg) and CO2 emissions of only 124g/km on the combined EU cycle.
At the other end of the scale, the high-performance 240PS Ingenium diesel produces 500Nm of torque thanks to its series sequential turbochargers. The 240ps diesel automatic accelerates from 0-100km/h in 7.4 seconds (0-60mph in 7.0 seconds) and delivers CO2 emissions of 162g/km.
In between, a 180ps AWD option provides a balance of performance and efficiency and is available with manual or automatic transmissions, providing CO2 emissions of 137g/km and 147g/km respectively. The automatic model accelerates from 0-100km/h in 9.3 seconds, sixth-tenths-of-a-second faster than examples with the slick six-speed manual.
EU6 emissions compliance has been achieved utilising a range of technologies including variable exhaust-valve timing, which enables rapid catalyst heating and robust particulate filter generation. Selective catalytic reduction and cooled low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation also cut NOx emissions.
A new Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) AdBlue after-treatment system further enhances environmental sustainability. The system sprays an aqueous urea DEF solution into the exhaust system, neutralising harmful gasses such as nitrogen oxide emissions.
The two petrol engines in the Jaguar’s range start with a 249ps option with a 300ps example above that. The two engines produce 365Nm and 400Nm of torque respectively, and are both available with AWD automatic drivetrains only.
Upgrades to its twin-scroll turbocharger system deliver up to 26% more air versus its predecessor, providing immediate throttle responses and virtually eliminating turbo lag, while the intelligent Continuously Variable Valve Lift (CVVL) system optimises driveability as load control is managed primarily by the intake valves rather than the throttle. Variable cam timing also enhances power and efficiency across the rev range, improving fuel economy and driveability.
The 249ps model completes the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.0 seconds while the flagship 300PS derivative achieves it in a rapid 6.4 seconds (0-60mph in 5.9 seconds).
Transferring this power to the road is a choice of two trasnsmissions. An ‘intelligent’ nine-speed automatic transmission is the latest generation of ZF’s 9HP. The nine-speed close-ratio transmission has been specifically designed for transverse engine applications. As a result, gear change times have been dramatically reduced, with JLR stating they are ‘almost imperceptible’. The transmission’s adaptive shift system monitors the customer’s preferred driving style and tailors the experience accordingly. The system responds to changes, reducing shift times during brisk driving and switching smoothly into a more economical mode based on the driver’s throttle and steering inputs.
When cornering, the transmission uses longitudinal acceleration and pedal position data to gauge whether or not to prevent unwanted upshifts. By measuring the throttle position in this way, the intelligent transmission can anticipate driver requests for more power, ensuring the correct gear is always selected.
The 150PS and 180PS diesel engines are also available with a new six-speed manual transmission, which provides slick, short changes. Designed for sports cars, the advanced gearbox has a lightweight aluminium alloy casing, hollow shafts and pocketed gears to save every gram of weight possible. Additionally, the manual transmission delivers even greater refinement with new gear ratios and gear tooth design giving improved noise properties.