Jaguar I-PACE Sets Production EV Record Lap Time at Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca

Jaguar has set a production EV record lap time of 1:48.18 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in the new all-electric I-PACE performance SUV ahead of its display at the 2018 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

Jaguar brought the I-PACE to the renowned road course in the United States as part of a marketing promotion with Motor Trend Group. Piloted by professional race car driver Randy Pobst, the Photon Red I-PACE First Edition tackled the 11-turn track in completely stock trim. Pobst set what Motor Trend believes is the benchmark for the fastest lap at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for a four-door stock production vehicle. Footage of Pobst’s lap is available online here, with more videos available on 12 September on Motor Trend App and Motor Trend YouTube channel.

Priced from £58,995 (including government incentives) and featuring all-wheel drive as standard, the I-PACE is available in three trim levels: S, SE and HSE – with an additional First Edition model available for the first year only.

The new all-electric Jaguar I-PACE makes electric vehicle (EV) ownership more exciting, accessible and practical than ever thanks to its unique design and battery technology. A 90kWh Lithium-ion battery comprising 432 pouch cells – chosen for their high energy density and superior thermal management – is able to achieve a 0-80 percent battery charge in 40 minutes using 100kW DC fast charging.

Conceived as a high-performance SUV from the outset, the I-PACE delivers engaging driving dynamics, everyday usability and comfort, with a unique balance of ride, refinement and control. Jaguar has placed the battery as low as possible between the axles, providing close to optimal 50:50 weight distribution and a low centre of gravity optimising composure and reducing body roll.

Advanced double wishbone front and Integral Link rear suspension deliver both incredible ride comfort and the lateral stiffness needed during dynamic driving, ensuring excellent handling, grip and steering responses. The compact and lightweight suspension design features aluminium suspension links and knuckles to reduce weight, while maximising interior space.

The I-PACE also enables the driver to select either high or low levels of regenerative braking to assist in improving efficiency and vehicle range. When high regenerative braking mode is selected the driver can experience single-pedal driving in certain conditions as the car decelerates when lifting off the accelerator; helping to reduce reliance on the brake pedal when slowing down. In fact, a maximum regenerative braking force of up to 0.4G is achievable in this mode.

Customers can configure their I-PACE at www.jaguar.com.

JAGUAR I-PACE eTROPHY

After becoming the first premium manufacturer to enter the ABB FIA Formula E Championship in 2016 with its I-TYPE 1 open wheel racecar, Jaguar announced the creation of the world’s first production battery electric vehicle race series – the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY Championship. The championship supports the launch of the I-PACE and reinforces Jaguar Land Rover’s commitment to electrification: from 2020 all new model lines will be electrified, with either battery electric, plug-in hybrid or mild hybrid options.

Just a few months after news of the championship broke at the 2017 Paris Motor Show, Jaguar announced Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) as the first team to sign on to the series, campaigning two cars. Bringing decades of experience to the series, Bobby Rahal and the RLL team moved quickly to confirm their first season driver line-up.

Veteran sports car and open-wheel racing driver Katherine Legge was confirmed as the team’s first Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY pilot during the final rounds of the 2017/18 Formula E Championship held in New York City in July. A native of the UK, Legge currently competes in the IMSA GTD class; her resume includes experience in Formula 3, Formula Renault, a Formula One test, Champ Car, Indy car, A1GP, DTM, and the first season of the Formula E championship. Additional information on Legge’s announcement with RLL can be found here.

Earlier this week it was announced that Legge would be joined by Bryan Sellers in RLL’s second car. American sports car racer Bryan Sellers also currently competes in IMSA, behind the wheel of a Lamborghini Huracán GT3. Sellers’ resume includes drives in the American Le Mans Series, Rolex Sports Car, Skip Barber Formula Dodge and winning the USF2000 National Championship in 2002. Additional information on Sellers’ announcement with RLL can be found here.

Guests to both the 2018 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion and the 2018 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance will be among the first to see the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY racecar in person. Finished in RLL race livery, the racecar will be displayed Friday and Saturday at the Jaguar pit garages at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, and Sunday on the Concept Lawn of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

Up to 20 identical racecars will take to the grid from the 2018/19 ABB FIA Formula E season onwards. The Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY races will take place before the main Formula E race on the same street circuits, in some of the most iconic cities in the world. The series offers teams the chance to showcase driving talent and electric performance on the world stage in zero-emissions motorsport.

Designed, engineered and built by Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations, the all-electric Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY racecar is powered by the same battery as the I-PACE production car and modifies the body-in-white with a purpose-built racing interior stripped of unnecessary weight, finished with the latest FIA-approved safety components.

The 90kWh battery pack found in both the production- and race-spec vehicles power dual permanent magnet motors mounted front and rear which deliver a combined 400PS and 696Nm of torque, propelling the car from 0-100km/h in 4.8s.