Jaguar picks up the pace
November 1, 2015
From the searing heat and dust of Dubai to the ice and snow of Northern Sweden, the new F-PACE has been tested to the limit in some of the most inhospitable environments on earth.
Jaguar’s performance crossover offers an unrivalled blend of performance, design and practicality.
And to ensure that every system functions perfectly even under the most extreme conditions, the new F-PACE has been subjected to one of the most demanding test programmes the company has ever devised.
Andrew Whyman, Vehicle Programme Director, Jaguar F-PACE, explained: “We developed the F-PACE to offer the ride, handling and refinement demanded from a Jaguar, together with exceptional levels of ability and composure on all surfaces and in all weathers.
“Just as we paid obsessive attention to detail over the engineering of every single component, we’ve exhaustively tested the F-PACE in the most challenging conditions to ensure that it will exceed the expectations of our customers around the world.”
At Jaguar Land Rover’s test facility in Arjeplog, Northern Sweden, average winter temperatures rarely exceed -15°C and often plummet to -40°C. The 60km of purpose-built handling tracks, mountain climbs, inclines, split-friction straights and off-road areas are ideal for optimising the calibration of the all-wheel drive system, Dynamic Stability Control and technologies such as Jaguar’s revolutionary All-Surface Progress Control. The work done here makes sure that, whether on asphalt, snow or ice, the F-PACE delivers the connected steering feel and agility fundamental to Jaguar dynamics DNA.
In Dubai, ambient temperatures can exceed 50°C in the shade. When vehicles are left out in direct sunlight, cabin temperatures can soar to 70°C – exactly what’s needed to ensure that everything from climate control systems to infotainment touchscreens function perfectly in extremes of heat and humidity.
And while the test engineers can relax in air-conditioned comfort as they drive in city traffic, this part of the test cycle is designed to place the cooling systems under very high load through a combination of high ambient temperatures and low airflow.
The F-PACE has also been driven over gravelled mountain passes. This is the first time that a Jaguar test programme has included this uniquely challenging environment.
Latest News

The Brussels Motor Show highlights
The constant clicking of the camera lenses and the bulky press packs may [...]
Polestar 3 awarded top safety honour
Polestar 3 has been awarded Euro NCAP’s Best in Class award for safest [...]
Dacia Bigster has starring role to play
Dacia is offering an otherworldly way to experience the great outdoors with a [...]
Honda gives its badge a fresh new look
Honda cars will be given a fresh new-look with the introduction of a [...]
Finalists announced for WWCOTY title
Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY) has announced the category winners of [...]
Mercedes CLA scoops the top honours
The all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA has been awarded the European Car of the Year [...]
Stay safe in freezing driving conditions
Road safety and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist is urging drivers to prepare [...]
Home charging is kind on the waistline
Drivers switching to charging their electric vehicles at home are discovering an unexpected [...]
Mazda upgrades CX-60 and CX-80 models
The Mazda CX-60 and CX-80 ranges will see a comprehensive package of upgrades [...]
Mitsubishi announces its UK comeback
The IM Group, a leading UK-based vehicle importer and distributor, today announced plans [...]
Drumming up support for classic rally
Members of the Caithness and Sutherland Vintage and Classic Vehicle Club gathered at [...]
Kia launches all-new K4 model in the UK
Kia has offered a glimpse at its all-new K4 model, which will be [...]
Volvo has started production of its ES90
Volvo has started production of its new, fully electric ES90 for the European [...]
Dacia adds new Duster powertrains
Dacia is enhancing its range of powertrains available on the Duster, offering more [...]
The evolution of an all-new smart #2
Premium electric automotive brand, smart, has announced that an-all new, two-seater city car, [...]

