Spotted: Jaguar J-Pace flagship crossover

The flagship crossover is expected to debut by 2019.An early test mule of a new Jaguar premium crossover which is tentatively named as J-Pace by the media has been spotted on a flatbed truck.

The F-Pace derives its name from its sedan sibling, the XF, so J-Pace could have a connection with the flagship XJ. The prototype sports makeshift body panels that are derived from the F-Pace.

Though the car looks like an F-Pace at the first glance, closer observation reveals that the test mule has a longer wheelbase and longer front overhang. The rear door shut line is different from that of the F-Pace thereby highlight the difference in dimensions.

The whereabouts of the underpinnings are unclear as of now. Jaguar could opt for an extended version of F-Pace’s iQ aluminium intensive architecture or derive parts from the XJ or even borrow components from a Land Rover platform. The first strategy appears to have higher possibility.

According to British ministry of transport’s website, the test mule’s license plates matches with a vehicle which has a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine and an electric motor. The diesel hybrid system would pit the Jaguar J-Pace against the Volvo XC90.

The new vehicle is still in early stages of development so don’t expect it to be ready before 2019. A new E-Pace crossover based on the XE doesn’t seem to be hypothetical anymore.

This article has first appeared in Rushlane.com