Motoring correspondent Trevor Lamenya dashed to chilly UK to stroke Jaguar Land Rover ’ s new kitten and found out why the brand defied all odds to grow in a supressed local luxury market
12 – Autonews - AA Club of Kenya magazine
new vehicle review
Jaguar F-Pace seeks to outjump its rivals
Motoring correspondent Trevor Lamenya dashed to chilly UK to stroke Jaguar Land Rover ’ s new kitten and found out why the brand defied all odds to grow in a supressed local luxury market
I
have had an awesome couple of years shuttling from one country to the other in search of a cure to my addiction . I must confess I am a certified petrol head hooked to fast cars . The doctor ordered that I head to JaguarLandrover headquarters as soon as was physically possible .
I obeyed and flew out to the UK . On landing I was immediately transferred to London ’ s Farnborough Airport in a Jaguar Limo for a short flight to Tivat , Montenegro ’ s second largest airport .
In the company of other internationnal journalists , we were swiftly shuttled away to the start pointing of what was to be an amazing event . It was a ferry with a dozen F -PACE SUVs flush parked on either side of the deck . The view was spectacular .
Montenegro , I soon learned , is famous for three things , the most beautiful women in the world , the highest number of contracted assassins and the most engaging roads to drive on .
I was only interested in the third quality as it was perfect environment to sample Jaguar ’ s first Sport Utility Crossover .
I however wondered quietly to myself why Jaguar would leap into the dense world of small SUVs when it ’ s cousin , Land Rover , represents the family so competently ?
It is predicted that nearly half of all car sales in the next decade will consist of SUVs . Already rivals like
BMW , Mercedes and Porsche are ripping huge profits in SUV sales . Which brings me to the next question , why F-PACE ?
Jaguar is ambitious , it may lag behind the ‘ German Trio ’ in terms of sales , but the brass seem to have different plans for the brand . Introduction of an aluminum based common modular platform with brand new engines and great styling , Jaguar feels ready to take on the competition with this vehicle . Analysts predict that it will be the silver bullet that Jaguar has been praying for to prop up its sales .
Lets take a closer look ?
The Design Think of the F-PACE as the ‘ Daniel Craig ’ of the vehicle world . Its mission , should it choose to accept it , is to take care of ‘ Queen and Country ’ while eliciting the kind of cravings usually the reserved of randy adolescents .
The front profile is distinctively Jaguar ; the upright grill , rectangular headlamps with the J-signature Day Time Running Lights , instantly connect it to its more agile siblings , the new XE and XF . The side profile illustrates the design team ’ s desire to create an athletic posture .
The Interior You will instantly experience quintessentially British luxury in its purest form . It is contemporary and the extensive use of suede
Think of the F-PACE as the ‘ Daniel Craig ’ of the vehicle world . Its mission , should it choose to accept it , is to take care of ‘ Queen and Country ’ while eliciting the kind of cravings usually the reserved of randy adolescents .