My EV journey

Ian D said:

There’s more than you think.
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Ruby351 said:

Oops, well that told me then ... although maybe not so many in Wales

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JimC64 said:

You're ok if you're in London by the looks of it, but the video test run says otherwise.

You'd like to think it'll all catch up

Jim

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Frank said:

Well I had my test run today, will not say a lot other than no way will I be getting an I-Pace!

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Ruby351 said:

I shouldn't laugh I know, but I really was, getting impressed with the I-Pace and your short sharp review just took the biscuit.

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Frank said:

I think I might owe a little more explanation following the short road test. It was along day out yesterday, compounded by arriving home in the evening to an answerphone message that our bowling green watering system may not be working as the green was not so green, so off out again to sort that out.

I should emphasise that my brief comment above was that "I" would not buy an I-Pace, not that the I-Pace was not worth buying. If there is one thing I have learnt over my 70 years on this planet, life is AC coupled - we react and adapt to our current surroundings, hence most observations are relative, not absolute. In this case, I'm comparing five an half years in an S6 to thirty minutes in an I-Pace, probably not fair to the latter.

Firstly, a shout out to the dealer, Barretts in Ashford, Kent. Very welcoming and the sales guy gave me the key and said spend an hour, hour and a half as we wanted. My schedule for the day limited to half an hour but that was probably enough. Even after my thank you but no thank you answer to his how did you get on he remained polite and even offered to finish off the evaluation on my car - which was very good by the way.

So here we go and please do not take umbrage with anything I write, I'm just saying things as I found them and are just my humble opinions. I truly did want to like the I-Pace and was really hoping it would be my way back into a Jaguar, sadly not to be.

Model tested was HSE spec demonstrator, apparently soon to become an ex-demonstrator.

1. Noise. This was the first and perhaps biggest surprise as I expected an EV to wins hand down, but it was actually noisier than the S6 when normally cruising. This prompted some research this morning and I learnt the S6 has active noise cancelling - ah ha I thought, but then found out the I-Pace has it too. Different strengths perhaps? The S6 is not user adjustable. Ian mentioned the I-Pace has noise addition which is user adjustable. However, I do not think this was what I was listening to as it wasn't a pleasant noise. The first impression was way too much tyre noise, best likened to full winter tyres vs summer tyres. In summary, I wouldn't say the I-Pace was noisy as such, just that the S6 was quieter and more serene. The advantage of quieter electric motors (at source) was nullified by there being no noise at all from the S6 when cruising. Different when booting it, then it became a personal choice and I do like a V8 on full song!

2. Comfort. This is the big one I'm afraid and back the to same problem as the XF, poor seats. This is the main show-stopper. Wife felt she had to hang onto the seat even though we were not charging around corners. Volvo are probably the king of seats, Audi pretty close. IMHO, Jaguar are just not there. Best way I can describe it is we sit in the Audi seats and on the Jaguar seats. The S6 seats are not soft and squashy but they feel so much more comfortable and supportive. Something that needs to be experienced on a comparative basis to really appreciate. I know I'll probably get flamed for this and thrown out of the forum, fair enough I guess!

3. Rear visibility. Not much to say here other than it is a style thing and with the I-Pace (and many other similar vehicles) the rear window is not much more than a narrow letter box. Being heavily tinted didn't help and I imagine even worse when it rains. Think driving a van as far as rear mirror visibility is concerned then you won't be far off.

4. Interior. Perhaps another disappointment, but not in the same way. It was fine and I could eventually get used to it, but there was no "wow" factor. When I first got in an XF there was much better feeling of this is something a bit more special than the usual run of the mill interiors. To be fair, the Audi doesn't have a wow factor either, all correct and present but understated would be a good description. Also, I have a thing against a need to use touchscreens in cars. What's the point in outlawing smartphone use when car manufacturers are allowed to then plaster the dash in touchscreens. The I-Pace does have a couple of real knobs for heater control and the latest Audis are also festooned with touchscreens. If I were comparing the I-Pace dashboard to an e-tron for example, I'd give it to the I-Pace. Do I prefer an XF and S6 in this respect, oh yes.

5. Performance. It goes! Probably not quite as manic as the S6 (which is half to a second quicker to 60) but it would be a very close run thing. Certainly there is no kick-down delay in the I-Pace that the S6 has when cruising in normal drive mode. Part of the S6 silence is likely down to the engine running around 1200rpm in normal mode, whereas in Sport mode it holds higher revs and the kick down issue is much less of a problem. Still not as instant as the EV though.

6. Smoothness. There was an odd jitter to the drive when just maintaining a 40-50mph speed. It was minor but there and probably at the point where the motor was transitioning on and off of power. Didn't get time to play with things like different re-gen modes, but I think it was not set high as there was no obvious extra de-acceleration when lifting the throttle pedal, felt similar to an ICE with auto box in fact. The jitter was as if a switch to the motor was being turned on and off but the motor couldn't start at low enough power, if that makes any sense.

That's it for now and funnily enough, the reasons I wouldn't buy an I-Pace have little to do with it being a EV, in fact the only thing I would miss in the power unit area over the S6 would be the splendid V8 sound when asked to work out a bit - and perhaps the range. I started out yesterday with just over half a tank and when I arrived in Ashford 90 minutes later I still had a range of 210 miles....a timely reminder of the range issues for EVs, although to be fair I would have started out with a "full tank" had I been charging an EV at home!

I now await my marching orders.....

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Fuse19 said:

Just to add, the iPace does not have active noise cancellation

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Jaguar I-Pace review: Jaguar shows the world how an EV should be done

By Vaughn Highfield Jaguar’s first all-electric vehicle is more than just an SUV; it’s the best EV on the road “The Jaguar I-Pace is the best electric car in the world.” A bold claim to make,

www.alphr.com

Ian D said:

In regards to the rear view being tiny, you should try the clear view mirror, a full camera view from the rear view mirror of what’s happening behind. Great feature.

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Frank said:

Didn't try the camera mirror, does it stay clean in the wet and filthy weather? The S6 reversing camera needs a clean from time to time in adverse conditions - as does the whole car

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Ian D said:

In regards to the rear view being tiny, you should try the clear view mirror, a full camera view from the rear view mirror of what’s happening behind. Great feature.

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chrisjp said:

A problem with the camera supplied rear view "mirror" is that the image has to be focussed on, whereas a normal mirror shows a long distance image - as if you were looking backwards directly. For us oldies who can drive without glasses but need them for reading and other close stuff, the image in the camera "mirror" can appear blurred. And before anyone can say that this issue applies to the instrument panel as well - yes it does but a needle on a dial, and the large digital speed indication, are easy to see even if they are a bit blurred.

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Frank said:

I think I might owe a little more explanation following the short road test. It was a long day out yesterday, compounded by arriving home in the evening to an answerphone message that our bowling green watering system may not be working as the green was not so green, so off out again to sort that out.

I should emphasise that my brief comment above was that "I" would not buy an I-Pace, not that the I-Pace was not worth buying. If there is one thing I have learnt over my 70 years on this planet, life is AC coupled - we react and adapt to our current surroundings, hence most observations are relative, not absolute. In this case, I'm comparing five an half years in an S6 to thirty minutes in an I-Pace, probably not fair to the latter.

Firstly, a shout out to the dealer, Barretts in Ashford, Kent. Very welcoming and the sales guy gave me the key and said spend an hour, hour and a half as we wanted. My schedule for the day limited to half an hour but that was probably enough. Even after my thank you but no thank you answer to his how did you get on he remained polite and even offered to finish off the evaluation on my car - which was very good by the way.

So here we go and please do not take umbrage with anything I write, I'm just saying things as I found them and are just my humble opinions. I truly did want to like the I-Pace and was really hoping it would be my way back into a Jaguar, sadly not to be.

Model tested was HSE spec demonstrator, apparently soon to become an ex-demonstrator.

1. Noise. This was the first and perhaps biggest surprise as I expected an EV to wins hand down, but it was actually noisier than the S6 when normally cruising. This prompted some research this morning and I learnt the S6 has active noise cancelling - ah ha I thought, but then found out the I-Pace has it too. Different strengths perhaps? The S6 is not user adjustable. Ian mentioned the I-Pace has noise addition which is user adjustable. However, I do not think this was what I was listening to as it wasn't a pleasant noise. The first impression was way too much tyre noise, best likened to full winter tyres vs summer tyres. In summary, I wouldn't say the I-Pace was noisy as such, just that the S6 was quieter and more serene. The advantage of quieter electric motors (at source) was nullified by there being no noise at all from the S6 when cruising. Different when booting it, then it became a personal choice and I do like a V8 on full song!

2. Comfort. This is the big one I'm afraid and back the to same problem as the XF, poor seats. This is the main show-stopper. Wife felt she had to hang onto the seat even though we were not charging around corners. Volvo are probably the king of seats, Audi pretty close. IMHO, Jaguar are just not there. Best way I can describe it is we sit in the Audi seats and on the Jaguar seats. The S6 seats are not soft and squashy but they feel so much more comfortable and supportive. Something that needs to be experienced on a comparative basis to really appreciate. I know I'll probably get flamed for this and thrown out of the forum, fair enough I guess!

3. Rear visibility. Not much to say here other than it is a style thing and with the I-Pace (and many other similar vehicles) the rear window is not much more than a narrow letter box. Being heavily tinted didn't help and I imagine even worse when it rains. Think driving a van as far as rear mirror visibility is concerned then you won't be far off.

4. Interior. Perhaps another disappointment, but not in the same way. It was fine and I could eventually get used to it, but there was no "wow" factor. When I first got in an XF there was much better feeling of this is something a bit more special than the usual run of the mill interiors. To be fair, the Audi doesn't have a wow factor either, all correct and present but understated would be a good description. Also, I have a thing against a need to use touchscreens in cars. What's the point in outlawing smartphone use when car manufacturers are allowed to then plaster the dash in touchscreens. The I-Pace does have a couple of real knobs for heater control and the latest Audis are also festooned with touchscreens. If I were comparing the I-Pace dashboard to an e-tron for example, I'd give it to the I-Pace. Do I prefer an XF and S6 in this respect, oh yes.

5. Performance. It goes! Probably not quite as manic as the S6 (which is half to a second quicker to 60) but it would be a very close run thing. Certainly there is no kick-down delay in the I-Pace that the S6 has when cruising in normal drive mode. Part of the S6 silence is likely down to the engine running around 1200rpm in normal mode, whereas in Sport mode it holds higher revs and the kick down issue is much less of a problem. Still not as instant as the EV though.

6. Smoothness. There was an odd jitter to the drive when just maintaining a 40-50mph speed. It was minor but there and probably at the point where the motor was transitioning on and off of power. Didn't get time to play with things like different re-gen modes, but I think it was not set high as there was no obvious extra de-acceleration when lifting the throttle pedal, felt similar to an ICE with auto box in fact. The jitter was as if a switch to the motor was being turned on and off but the motor couldn't start at low enough power, if that makes any sense.

That's it for now and funnily enough, the reasons I wouldn't buy an I-Pace have little to do with it being a EV, in fact the only thing I would miss in the power unit area over the S6 would be the splendid V8 sound when asked to work out a bit - and perhaps the range. I started out yesterday with just over half a tank and when I arrived in Ashford 90 minutes later I still had a range of 210 miles....a timely reminder of the range issues for EVs, although to be fair I would have started out with a "full tank" had I been charging an EV at home!

I now await my marching orders.....

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mac_doctor said:

I have to say that looking at the iPace the interior does appear a little spartan when compared to my XJ. Fortunately in my case (if we were to move to an EV) we would be going from the Mondeo to an EV, not from the XJ (which will be going the other way, to a V8, when the unicorn appears)

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