Jaguar E-Pace crossover gets new tech

By topgear, 12 June 2018
Jaguar E-Pace
Jaguar E-Pace

The Jaguar E-Pace hasn’t been on sale that long, but already it’s getting updates. There’s a new engine – a 200bhp four-cylinder petrol, giving 0-97kph in 7.7 seconds, 34.4mpg (8.2L/100km) and 186g/km of CO2 – and Jag’s ‘Adaptive Dynamics’ continuously variable dampers now appear on the options list.

But the update of which Jaguar seems most proud is the addition of its ‘Smart Settings’ tech, which debuted on the all-electric I-Pace. The system recognises different drivers based on which key they used to unlock/start the car and the Bluetooth signal from their phone, then adjusts various parameters to suit.

Jag says the system can remember 2,500 different settings for up to eight different drivers – everything from seat/mirror positions to favourite radio stations, and much besides. We’re also told the system learns your habits over time (we’re not sure whether we like this or not…), and can then change settings based on time, location and even weather. So if you call your wife every night on the way home from work, the E-Pace will start suggesting it. And if it’s a bit cold outside, the E-Pace will crank up the heater. Clever, if it works. Annoying if it doesn’t.