Jaguar Hybrid SUV May Get All-Electric Variant

The new plug-in hybrid SUV/crossover vehicle being developed by Jaguar Land Rover Ltd.’s Jaguar unit likely will include an all-electric version, Autocar reports.

Tentatively named the J-Pace, the new Jaguar crossover is expected to ride on JLR’s modular MLA platform. The aluminum architecture also will carry a variety of other upcoming Jaguar and Land Rover models—including the next-generation Range Rover and Range Rover Sport SUVs.

Autocar, which first reported on the J-Pace last April, says the vehicle is on track for a 2021 launch. The midsize model will be positioned above the current E- and F-Pace crossovers, according to the U.K. enthusiast magazine.

The hybrid J-Pace is expected to use a turbocharged inline-6 engine to power the front wheels and an electric motor on the rear axle. Autocar says the vehicle also could offer a second hybrid option that features a high-output 4-cylinder engine to further bolster fuel efficiency. No details were provided about the all-electric powertrain.

Using an electric motor rather than a mechanical system to achieve all-wheel drive provides several benefits, Autocar notes. The electric setup eliminates the traditional center transmission tunnel, thus opening up more interior space. The speed and precise control of the electric motor’s power also promises to improve torque delivery and handling characteristics.

The J-Pace would be Jaguar’s fourth crossover. The company already offers the conventionally powered E- and F-Pace vehicles, plus the all-electric I-Pace. Previous reports indicate Jaguar could drop piston engines—including hybrid configurations—in favor of an all-electric lineup by 2027.