Jaguar Reveals F-Pace Crossover

Jaguar Land Rover Ltd. took the wraps off its first crossover/SUV, the F-Pace, at the Frankfurt auto show on Tuesday.

Retaining much of the appearance of the 2014 CX-17 concept, the production model bears a clear resemblance to Jaguar's luxury cars. It also shares a modular aluminum architecture with the XE and XF cars. But the company says 81% of the parts on the F-Pace are new.

The F-Pace's body-in-white weighs just 660 lbs, with aluminum accounting for 81% of the structure. The aluminum components are attached to structural steel members via adhesive and thousands of rivets, which Jaguar says yields a torsional stiffness equivalent to that of the new XF.

Other lightweight applications include a composite tailgate and magnesium structural beams.

Measuring 186 inches from bumper to bumper with a 113-inch wheelbase, the F-Pace sits between the XE and larger XF in Jaguar's lineup. The new crossover is 65 inches tall and features a ground clearance of more than 8 inches slightly more than Land Rover's Discovery Sport, which still maintains a significant advantage in water wading depth.

Jaguar claims the F-Pace will have best-in-class driving characteristics, thanks to a double-wishbone front suspension and an integral-link rear unit. Other goodies include torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, electric power-assisted steering, automatic braking, pedestrian detection, and class-leading trunk and rear legroom.

The F-Pace also can be ordered with a waterproof wristband that doubles as a key to allow owners to lock the main key in the car during outside activities.

U.S. buyers will have a choice between two supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 powerplants: a 340-hp unit and a 380-hp mill. Both are mated to an 8-speed transmission. The high-powered V-6 also will be offered in Europe along with 4-cylinder and V-6 diesels.