Following the successful launch of the i-Pace suv,
Jaguar has just revealed its concept electric version of the i-pace. The
vehicle features a bespoke electric architecture, matched with dramatic design.
The result is a no-compromise smart, five seat sports car and a performance SUV
in one. “The I-PACE Concept represents the next generation of electric vehicle
design. It’s a dramatic, future-facing cab-forward design with a beautiful
interior – the product of authentic Jaguar DNA, electric technology and
contemporary craftsmanship,” said Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar.
“Our virtual reality reveal today has pushed
technology boundaries as well, and captures the hi-tech essence of the concept
car. We only have one concept car and it is in LA for the reveal. For the first
time, VR has allowed us share it across the globe in the most immersive way
possible.”
“For the first time in history, a global automotive
brand has used fully immersive VR to launch their latest car,” said Ross
Wheeler, Head of Automotive at Imagination. “This launch takes the individual
far beyond any new car experience they would have witnessed before, allowing
people across the world to connect in real time, be fully immersed within the
vehicle and share live together their experience of Jaguar’s first ever
electric vehicle.”
This unique and world-first ‘social VR’ reveal is
believed to be the largest live and connected VR event of its type to date.
Throughout the day more than 300 guests were transported into a specially
created life-like virtual space, into which, two of the car’s creators, Ian
Callum and Ian Hoban were projected.
From VR hubs in Los Angeles and London, groups of 66
guests including A-list stars Michelle Rodriguez, Miranda Kerr and James
Corden, used HTC Vive Business Edition headsets, powered by Dell Precision
workstations, to put themselves inside the concept car and interact live with
other participants. Guests ‘sat’ on the concept’s virtual seats, had a 3600
view of Venice Beach as the concept was built piece by piece around them, and
saw the I-PACE Concept race towards them across a virtual desert.
"This is an uncompromised electric vehicle
designed from a clean sheet of paper: we’ve developed a new architecture and
selected only the best technology available,” said Dr Wolfgang Ziebart,
Engineering Director, Jaguar Land Rover. “The I-PACE Concept fully exploits the
potential EVs can offer in space utilisation, driving pleasure and
performance."
The state-of-the-art electric motors and 90kWh
lithium-ion battery pack were designed in-house by Jaguar Land Rover to give
the best possible performance and range for most daily journeys. Wherever you
are in the world you can simply plug your car into a wall socket overnight, and
have more than enough range to complete the average daily commute of around
50km.
Tosan Aduayi, a motoring journalist since 1994, is the
founder and publisher of Trendy Africa Magazine and has reported on Motoring
with trademark columns (Roadrunner, Carliners). He is also the founder of
Flowtran global.
