JAGUAR I-PACE Electric Car
Jaguar’s engineering and design teams have torn up the rule
book to create a bespoke electric architecture, matched with dramatic design.
The result is no-compromise smart, five seat sports car and a performance SUV
in one.
This unique and world-first ‘social VR’ reveal is believed
to be the largest live and connected VR event of its type to date. Throughout
the day more than 300 guests were transported into a specially created
life-like virtual space, into which, two of the car’s creators, Ian Callum and
Ian Hoban were projected.
From VR hubs in Los Angeles and London, groups of 66 guests
including A-list stars Michelle Rodriguez, Miranda Kerr and James Corden, used
HTC Vive Business Edition headsets, powered by Dell Precision workstations, to
put themselves inside the concept car and interact live with other
participants. Guests ‘sat’ on the concept’s virtual seats, had a 3600 view of
Venice Beach as the concept was built piece by piece around them, and saw the
I-PACE Concept race towards them across a virtual desert.
Dr Wolfgang Ziebart, Jaguar Land Rover, said: "This is
an uncompromised electric vehicle designed from a clean sheet of paper: we’ve
developed a new architecture and selected only the best technology available.
The I-PACE Concept fully exploits the potential EVs can offer in space
utilisation, driving pleasure and performance."
The state-of-the-art electric motors and 90kWh lithium-ion
battery pack were designed in-house by Jaguar Land Rover to give the best
possible performance and range for most daily journeys. Where ever you are in
the world you can simply plug your car into a wall socket overnight, and have
more than enough range to complete the average daily commute of around 50 km.
For rapid charging, using a typical public 50 KW DC charging
network, a full charge will take just over 2 hours. Enough to
deliver more than 220 miles range (measured on the US EPA test cycle) or more
than 500 km range (measured on the European NEDC test cycle).
The I-PACE Concept transforms the electric driving
experience and offers the driver-focused performance and response Jaguar is
renowned for. To help deliver this, the I-PACE has electric motors on the front
and rear axles. Their combined output is 400PS and 700Nm of torque – the same
torque rating as the F-TYPE SVR.
Ian Hoban, Vehicle Line Director, described the set up to VR
guests who were able to use virtual reality to get under the skin of this
ground-breaking technology. He said: "Electric motors provide immediate
response with no lag, no gearshifts and no interruptions. Their superior torque
delivery compared to internal combustion engines transforms the driving
experience. With 700Nm and the traction benefits of all-wheel drive, the I-PACE
Concept accelerates from 0-60mph in around four seconds."
Ian Callum said: “The interior of the I-PACE Concept is
finished with beautiful, premium materials and an unwavering attention to
detail. Throughout the interior you will discover a host of beautiful details
to surprise and delight. From the expansive panoramic glass roof to the sporting,
beautifully finished seats, every feature bears the hallmark of British
craftsmanship.
“And there is digital craftsmanship too, with two touch
screens serving up information when and where you need it, limiting distraction
and improving the driving experience”
Renowned VR Director, Alexander Horton, led the creative
direction. Participants experienced the car being built around them, speeding
towards them and appearing to fall to Earth from another planet – clearly
signalling the future-forward nature of the revolutionary Jaguar.
The new and exciting VR platform pushed the boundaries
further than ever before, with the inclusion of social interaction and a live
presenter broadcast into a single VR world.
Groups in both LA and London were able to communicate and
interact with one another, all whilst watching Ian Callum and Ian Hoban explain
through high-end real-time 3D graphics both the design process and technology
behind this forward-thinking concept car.
Ross Wheeler, Head of Automotive at Imagination, said: “For
the first time in history, a global automotive brand has used fully immersive
VR to launch their latest car. This launch takes the individual far beyond any
new car experience they would have witnessed before, allowing people across the
world to connect in real time, be fully immersed within the vehicle and share
live together their experience of Jaguar’s first ever electric vehicle.”
“Jaguar, by embracing cutting-edge technology in this way,
has created an experience rich and rewarding for its consumers. It has
undoubtedly redefined the future of how automotive brands introduce their new
vehicles to customers.”
The Jaguar I-PACE Concept car is the start of a new era for
Jaguar. This is a production preview of the Jaguar I-PACE, which will be
revealed next year and on the road in 2018. Customers can register now at
jaguar.co.uk to be one of the first I-PACE owners.