Jaguar finally unveiled the production version of the I-Pace, its first all-electric vehicle today. You can learn all about in our article here.
For the occasion, the company also compared the new electric SUV with Teslaβs Model X in an *interesting* drag race video.
First off, they probably shouldnβt compare theirΒ I-Pace with the Model X in the first place.
The I-Pace is a significantlyΒ smaller SUV than the Model X β arguably in a different category: 4,680 mm length versus 5,037 mm, 1,560 mm height versus 1,684 mm, and 2,139 mm versus 2,271 mm.
But they are currently the two only all-electric SUV (the Audi e-tron quattro is coming though) so they apparently insist on comparing it with the Model X with a video about it β with a focus on acceleration.
You can watch the video here and further down I share some thoughts about the comparison:
Electrekβs Take
First off, let me reiterate that I donβt think they should compare it to the Model X. Again because of the size, but also because I think they should compare it to gas-powered cars and instead to try to steal market share from them and not other EVs.
Thatβs the goal after all, to have EVs replace gas-powered cars and convert more petrolheads to electric propulsion.
In my opinion, EVs should compete against gas-powered cars first and EVs second.Β But I donβt expect legacy automakers to get on board with that at this point in the game, so letβs look at the actual comparison.
They first raced the I-Pace versus the Model X 75D. The vehicles officially have 0-60 mph times of 4.5 and 4.9 seconds respectively.
OK, thatβs fair. The I-Pace likely beat the Model X fair and square β even though it should be pointed out that the Model X 75D is much bigger and therefore, an acceleration comparison is not the most adequate.
But then they did something really weird, the driver of the Model X came out and said he should get a Model X βP100Dβ instead.
With a 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds, a P100D would obviously crush the I-Pace, but then what they did instead was the olβ switcheroo βΒ bring out a Model X β100Dβ (no P), which is sure to confuse a few people, present company included.
The 100D has an advertised 0-60 time of 4.7 seconds β about the same as the I-Pace, but the Jaguar, sure enough, beat the Model X. Maybe that braking helped.
Iβd be curious to see a few more launches against those vehiclesΒ because some Model X 75D and 100D owners have been getting some really impressive times since Tesla uncorked the full power in those SUVs a few months ago.
With thisΒ said, Iβm not taking away anything from the I-Pace. I canβt wait to try it. I just think they should have pinned it against a similar size/categoryΒ gas-powered SUV instead of a bigger electric vehicle.