Verdict

It might be getting lengthy within the tooth, however whereas some EVs have aged badly, the I-Tempo nonetheless feels remarkably recent. Few rivals which have arrived since are anyplace close to as sharp to drive whereas remaining this refined, and it’s very spacious inside, too. With improved effectivity and charging speeds to match the latest alternate options, the I-Tempo may nonetheless be a winner. It’s a little bit baffling why Jaguar selected to not use such a powerful platform for its future electrical fashions.

The Jaguar I-Tempo first landed in showrooms again in 2018, which given the spectacular price of progress in electrical automobiles in such a brief area of time, makes it positively historic. In the event you’re standing nonetheless on this market, there’s a powerful danger that you just’ll fall thus far behind that you just’ll now not be related.

Thankfully for Jaguar, the I-Tempo was an exceptionally robust start line; it was so good in its day, actually, that we named it our 2018 Automotive of the Yr. 

For 2023, the British model’s first EV has been handled to some delicate refinements. The obvious is on the entrance; the grille strikes away from the earlier textured panel which mimicked the facias of combustion powered Jags, and is as a substitute changed with a easy design completed in ‘Atlas Gray’ paint. A revised Jaguar brand additionally sits in its centre. 

The identical gray end is utilized to the air vent blades on the outer fringe of the entrance bumper, whereas the general look is simplified by changing the earlier gloss black end for the entrance bumper, decrease door trims, and rear diffuser for physique color. 

Talking of paint finishes, there’s now a pair of satin shades to select from, and in the event you go for the panoramic glass roof, the small metallic panel between it and the rear window is now black to present the impression of a single, steady sheet.

These minor beauty tweaks apart, nonetheless, little else has modified. It makes it all of the extra shocking, then, that the I-Tempo stays a very robust contender within the EV section. 

It’s clear from the off why we rated it so extremely again in 2018, as a result of Jaguar received so most of the fundamentals good. Whereas it seems another premium producers are resigned to the truth that an enormous, heavy EV isn’t going to be participating to drive, there’s apparent sophistication right here. From the burden and precision of the steering, to the seamless transition from motor regeneration to mechanical braking when slowing down (thought the pedal feels a little bit spongy initially), all the pieces feels extraordinarily nicely sorted, even at low speeds. 

Discover a twisty part of street and it will get even higher. Throughout our time with the I-Tempo, we additionally had an Audi RS 7 Efficiency on take a look at – a spectacularly succesful tremendous saloon that delivers an enormous quantity of pleasure. Although the Audi finally had extra grip and higher physique management when pushed actually laborious, the hole between the 2 was a lot narrower than you’d count on. When it comes to agility, steadiness and physique roll, the Jag proved to be an in depth match. Flip in could be very eager however by no means hyperactive, and that precision actually helps to present the motive force loads of confidence. 

Sure, its air suspension settles on a experience high quality that’s firmer than the Audi Q8 e-tron and the fantastically comforting BMW iX, nevertheless it may by no means be thought-about harsh, and to many the additional sharpness might be a worthwhile commerce off. It’s additionally not as hushed because the eerily silent iX, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a peaceable place to whereas away some motorway miles.

The one place the place the I-Tempo lags behind the very best German rivals may be present in its electrical structure. Not a lot within the motor itself – 395bhp and a 4.5-second 0-62mph time continues to be nice – however in its charging speeds. At a time when among the newest EVs – even ones at half the Jaguar’s value – can cost at 150kW or extra, the 100kW price is a little bit sluggish. Given the large 90kWh battery pack it has to work with, the real-world vary of 248 miles we skilled in excellent EV situations is a little bit underwhelming, too.  

We’d additionally favored to have seen one or two extra revisions to the inside. It nonetheless seems nice and feels solidly constructed, however with different Jaguars benefitting from the newest and good model of the Pivi Professional infotainment system on an enormous and responsive touchscreen show, the I-Tempo will get the newest software program, however on the identical, compact display as earlier than. It does get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, although, each of which join wirelessly. 

There’s no faulting the area on supply. That cab-forward stance and stretched wheelbase permit for an enormous cabin with beneficiant legroom within the again. The 656-litre boot is big, too.

The mannequin we’re driving here’s a newly launched range-topper. Known as the 400 Sport, it options 22-inch alloy wheels, air suspension with adaptive dampers and a delicate rear spoiler as customary. At £79,995, it’s £10,000 costlier than the entry-level R-Dynamic S trim, however that automotive misses out on the air springs and will get smaller wheels.