The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 28: Dec/Jan 2016/17 | Page 32

REVVED UP

Jaguar F-Pace
Ahead of the SUV Pack
It would not be wrong to describe the Jaguar F-Pace as the
most commercially vital new car for the company in decades.
It’s the first time this famous British brand has dipped its
toes into the burgeoning and lucrative Sports Utility Vehicle
market. Fortunately this car has been enormously well
received both in the private car and business market where
its go anywhere appeal makes it a viable fleet vehicle.
It is stylish and well made. It drives with athletic prowess
and there's ample space for the whole family. There’s no
denying that the F-Pace is one of the prettier SUVs available.
Jaguar have managed to engender some of the sporting
style of the F-Type sports car. Slender lights all-round, an
imposing grille and slinky proportions manage to combine
the elegant grace we’ve come to expect from this brand
within the size and shape of an SUV.
Strong and stiff lightweight aluminium architecture
delivers agility, refinement and efficiency to the drive. The
F-Pace comes with rear-wheel drive but four-wheel drive can
be chosen optionally (and preferably) and will accordingly
deliver reassuring levels of grip in all weathers. This is further
enhanced by class-leading traction technologies including
Adaptive Surface Response. Although it cannot be perceived
as a true off-roader, the Jaguar F-Pace can be set up to deal
with mud or snow and that's all most people want.
Also marking the Jaguar out from the more humdrum
competition are its sloping roof line, steeply raked
windscreen and sharply angled rear window. There’s also
a roof spoiler to further emphasise the car’s performance

potential. All models sit on alloy wheels, ranging from 18 to
20 inches in diameter and available in a variety of designs,
depending on the trim level a buyer selects.
The F-Pace shares engines as well as mechanical
underpinnings with the Jaguar XE. This means buyers have
the option of a 178bhp 2.0L Ingenium diesel, a 296bhp 2.0L
diesel and a range-topping 375bhp supercharged V6 petrol
engine. The 2.0L will probably be the most popular choice
with BIK currently at 32%. It isn't especially quick off the line
but does have some real in-gear performance.
This landmark vehicle is available with an eight-speed
automatic gearbox but a six-speed stick shift is available with
the rear-wheel-drive 2.0-litre diesel configuration. You really
want the superb automatic though; there’s no contest.
The success story continues inside too. The F-Pace seats
five occupants in total comfort. The interior is a typically
perfect Jaguar blend of premium materials and finishes and
exquisite detailing embellished by extra luxuries such as
heated, electrically-reclining rear seats.
Infotainment is handled by the latest cutting-edge
technologies including the InControl Touch Pro system via
the 10 inch touchscreen and navigation through the 12.3
inch HD virtual instrument cluster. Overall the interior is
hard to fault and the level of on-road comfort is exemplary.
Another winner from Jaguar.
Written by
Geoff Maxted
www.drivewrite.co.uk

MAKE 2017 A SAVVY YEAR FOR
COMPANY CARS AND VANS
With thousands of smaller companies still unaware of the benefits of
vehicle leasing and many drivers in the dark over their personal tax
costs, vehicle leasing specialist Arval UK has launched a new website to
help businesses and drivers make more informed vehicle choices and
potentially save hundreds of pounds.
Featuring a suite of calculators built
in partnership with tax specialists BCF
Wessex, the website is aimed at companies
and individuals without specialist
knowledge of company car rules and
taxation.
The calculators show the true cost of
owning and leasing any one of over 9,000
individual vehicles. This includes electric
vehicles and hybrids as well as a wide
range of vehicles to suit every budget and
requirement.
The calculators show the actual cost of
owning or leasing a specific vehicle make
and model, including the relevant company
car tax, rather than making assumptions
based on a generalised example.
The Arval UK website has already
won a BusinessCar “Techies” Award for
innovation. “Leasing is usually the most

32

THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2016

cost effective option for businesses that
need a new vehicle,” said Paul Marchment
of Arval UK’s SME Division. “But smaller
companies and their employees have
lacked a quick and easy way of comparing
vehicles from a business and personal cost
perspective.

“we’ve developed the
calculators, to help those
who don’t have detailed
knowledge of vehicle
finance and company car
taxation to quickly check
the options available.”

“That’s why we’ve developed the
calculators, to help those who don’t have
detailed knowledge of vehicle finance and
company car taxation to quickly check the
options available.
“It’s all too easy to pay more than you
need to. Employer provided fuel often
incorrectly called “free fuel” is an excellent
example. The only way to know if the
benefit is worth taking is to look at the
individual circumstances of each driver. Our
calculators will help company car drivers
make the right choice.”
The website is free to use and can be
found at www.calculators.arval.co.uk/#/
home.