Blog Jaguar Delivers First I-PACE In U.S. – Owner Not A Fan Of Tesla’s Style

The first Jaguar I-PACE in North America has officially been delivered.

Jaguar has delivered the first I-PACE in North America to Mark and Holly Pascarella of Lakewood Ranch, Florida. Both of whom are the loyal customers to the brand.

It’s the first electric car in the family and according to Mark Pascarella, the I-PACE better fits his taste than a Tesla or any premium plug-in hybrids (sounds like confirmation that more conservative interiors find fans too).



“I’ve looked at Tesla in the past and was never impressed with their interiors or looks of the car, but when I saw the I-PACE, I said that’s something I’d like to drive.”

“As I mentioned I’m not a fan of Tesla’s finishes and I haven’t been impressed with any of the luxury hybrids out there.”



Jaguar released a full interview with the first owner in North America, who shares his family’s enthusiasm for the I-PACE and talks about how it’s the perfect car for a busy lifestyle.



Are you excited to take delivery of your new Jaguar I-PACE vehicle?

My whole family is excited! When I told my wife, twin 15 year-olds and 18 year-old, they couldn’t believe we would have the first I-PACE delivered in North America, before the vehicle even goes on sale. They couldn’t believe that it would be at our house, and we’re all just extremely excited to have an electric car and even more excited to have another Jaguar. We’re a Jaguar family.

What other Jaguar vehicles have you owned?

I’ve had two XKR models, an XJ, two F-TYPE vehicles and an F-PACE. I have an F-TYPE right now and my daughter has an F-PACE, so this will be our seventh Jaguar. My F-TYPE R is so much fun to drive. I’ve had it two and half years now, and people turn their head every time I pull up somewhere. They’re always telling me how beautiful the car is. It’s racing red with a black interior and a black top with gorgeous 20-inch wheels. It’s just a beautiful car and with the big supercharged V8, everyone hears you pull up. I wish I had a chance to take it on a racetrack, but I just don’t have the time.

What attracted you to the I-PACE?

When you have a family of five you always need space, so we were looking for an SUV. We’ve always had a seven-passenger SUV, but one of my daughters just went off to college, so now a five-passenger SUV will be large enough. When I looked at the I-PACE I could see that it was a typical first-class product made by Jaguar, with top of the line appointments and great looks. It doesn’t look like a typical SUV, and on top of that, being electric was very appealing. I’ve looked at Tesla in the past and was never impressed with their interiors or looks of the car, but when I saw the I-PACE, I said that’s something I’d like to drive. My wife loved it as well. She’ll probably drive it more than I do because she sells real estate and that’s what she’ll take clients out in. It’s definitely going to be a conversation piece and everyone’s going to be looking at her when she’s driving it around the neighborhood. When we go out to dinner with the family I can’t fit everybody in the F-TYPE so having the I-PACE available, with its space and luxury, will be great. We’ll also use it when we travel to see family during the holidays.

What do you do on the weekends for fun?

We’re a very busy family. The kids are involved in marching band so we go to all their competitions and events. We love to go to the theatre and we love to go out to dinner. We probably eat out 6-7 days a week. I’m a big sports nut, we support our local teams here. We entertain a lot, and we’re constantly on the go, I don’t like to sit still. I love to play golf, I play at least four times a week. Besides my wife and my three daughters it’s my passion.

How much did you know about EV technology before buying the I-PACE?

I didn’t know much about EV technology before buying the I-PACE. I’ve read up online and I love techy stuff. I love computers and the latest audio and visual technology, and I love cars. I’m a car nut.

Have you owned an EV before?

I haven’t. As I mentioned I’m not a fan of Tesla’s finishes and I haven’t been impressed with any of the luxury hybrids out there. The I-PACE will be our first EV and we couldn’t be more excited about it. Especially my kids. Getting the first one in the country is going to be amazing.

Crown Jaguar, in St. Petersburg has been phenomenal for us. The service I get from them is fantastic, and that made a big difference too. They’re 35 miles from my house but I’ve bought six Jaguar vehicles from them including this I-PACE just because of the service level I get from those guys. I trust them and feel good about what they do. I know they’re going to take care of me.



This article originally appeared on Inside EVs.

 

[xav-]

Just wait for the lease.... $500 a month... quote me... in 1 year timeframe max

 

[Iz]

Many of the I-Pace standard features were not available in my 2013 Model S. Curious to see what is under the front hood.
Range of up to 234 miles @ 90 kWh.

 

[evster]

For starters, i-Pace is a decent car, but not more than that.
I've taken the i-Pace for a lengthy drive here in Europe on two occasions. Last time was actually the past weekend. If we completely set aside the supercharger network and focus on the car a Model S 2017 (which I'm comparing it with) is the much better car overall.
To mention a few things:
- Cabin materials in the I-Pace (HSE version) is not something special. Lot's of plastics actually. Buttons on the steering wheel feels low quality.
- Seats? Much prefer the Premiums seats in my Model S (the latest seat version)
- The I-Pace cabin feels very cramped, There is a bulk in the roof (with panoramic roof) that amplifies this feeling.
- The interior is very "busy" with lot's of different lines etc. It feels very dated and traditional which is of course something subjective if you like it or not.
- Screen and controls in the center console is so awkward that I don't know where to start. It really feels pre-historic if you compare with the simplified Tesla experience. Lot's of weird menues and alternatives and lack any sort of logic. The secondary screen with climate just feels like a gimmick and the rotary controls for climate are fiddly to use and also feel a bit plastic.
- At motorway speed (80mph) I'd say it's a very similar experience to a Model S with 21" rims from a road noise perspective. The jag is def not quieter on the roads and surfaces I drove.
- Luggage compartment is very small. Half size of Model S? It's very narrow also so fitting a set of golf clubs is not that easy.

The Jag is nice to drive and a great overall car, but I have a hard time understanding many of the comments floating around the internet from motor journalists and what not praising the car. To me it feels more like the bunch of motor journalists are stuck in the traditional manufacturers "thinking" and also get decent trips to fancy places with all inclusive dinners etc that make their overall impressions of the car more positive. To me it is like some old fart from Nokia reviewed an iPhone back in 2007 and laughed at the lack of keyboard etc. I'm sure even that old Nokia fart nowadays switched to a phone without buttons...

For those who just hate Tesla for a reason this is great car on offer and I love that the traditional automakers start to push their EVs which is great for us all. The traditional Jag customers will probably love it, but that is most likely because they have missed to evaluate (for real) the alternatives. The guy mentioned in the article posted here is a good example. Someone who have just decided that Tesla is *sugar* and the alternatives are much better. LOL.

The sales guy had me lend the car for 3 hours, but I returned it after 1,5 because I was so bored with it and couldn't wait to get back into my Model S. Getting back into the simple, minimalistic cabin with autopilot and the big screen was a relief. I honestly have no problems switching brand to something else so I tried hard to like the Jag. Specifically as a European who have always owned European cars (BMW, Porsche and Audi).

 

[Peteski]

How many times did he have to mention Tesla for the click bait count? I'm not a big fan of Jaguar style and interior finish but I certainly don't feel the need to mention it when talking about my Tesla. I don't like the style of his house either, lol.

 

[jelloslug]

Many of the I-Pace standard features were not available in my 2013 Model S. Curious to see what is under the front hood.
Range of up to 234 miles @ 90 kWh.

There is a slot big enough for a file folder.

 

[scaesare]

He's certainly making choices along axes far different than mine... but to each his own...

I know there's a tendency to react in an "us versus them" fashion, especially when he/the article seemed to go out of it's way to state he didn't care for Teslas, but I applaud another EV car choice out there that appeals the demographic that like Jags. Those need to be there along with the Leafs of the world.

I'm glad folks found it compelling for a set of their needs, and bought one. Heck... all those rides for house-hunters that the realtor wife is going to give them might have more of an impact than we might imagine. There's could be folks that will give a Model S3X a look that might previously haven't.

I also continue to hope that customer demand and popularity will spur manufacturers to be more serious about volume production and promotion... even if thay have to be dragged kicking and screaming to do it...

A rising tide raises all boats.

 

[outdoors]

The Jag is nice to drive and a great overall car, but I have a hard time understanding many of the comments floating around the internet from motor journalists and what not praising the car. To me it feels more like the bunch of motor journalists are stuck in the traditional manufacturers "thinking" and also get decent trips to fancy places with all inclusive dinners etc that make their overall impressions of the car more positive.

Automotive Journalism=Advertising. Some companies do a little, some do a lot. Ones that do a lot tend to have fancy dinners. Most of the journalists are just trying to stay relevant in this age of a fickle consumer that changes on a dime, and is sick of being told what to like by the rags.

Those that do no advertising. Well I think we know that story already. They give no support for the job that the journalist has. Hard to stay unbiased when the Crystal is flowing and someone is trimming a cigar for you.

 

[Nocturnal]

This is one of the point's I've been making. No matter who good Tesla winds up being or how they price the cars, some people will never want one. Styling is probably the #1 factor for most buyers of any car, and some just won't like Teslas.

The more EVs the better for everyone.

 

[theschnell]

As someone already mentioned but I can't help repeat. "We’ll also use it when we travel to see family during the holidays." Do you consider driving 200 miles one way to be "Traveling"? I hope so.

And then plan to be there for several days while your car recharges on that 110 outlet

 

[THXULTRA]

Hope he likes spending time at the repair shop. Jags are good for one thing driving from the repair shop. Next day two it back!

 

[Nocturnal]

He's certainly making choices along axes far different than mine... but to each his own...

I know there's a tendency to react in an "us versus them" fashion, especially when he/the article seemed to go out of it's way to state he didn't care for Teslas, but I applaud another EV car choice out there that appeals the demographic that like Jags. Those need to be there along with the Leafs of the world.

I'm glad folks found it compelling for a set of their needs, and bought one. Heck... all those rides for house-hunters that the realtor wife is going to give them might have more of an impact than we might imagine. There's could be folks that will give a Model S3X a look that might previously haven't.

I also continue to hope that customer demand and popularity will spur manufacturers to be more serious about volume production and promotion... even if thay have to be dragged kicking and screaming to do it...

A rising tide raises all boats.

If EVs are seen as legitimate more people will buy Teslas. It's not a zero sum game consider EV adoption is in the low single digits.

 

[X Fan]

He's a Jag fan-boy.....nothing to see here.....

 

[Swampgator]

I am a bit surprised he is in Florida. My thought was that Jaguar is making I-Pace in low numbers because it is unprofitable. Let's see what they do when they really start selling over a couple hundred a month. Maybe this guy was just a Jaguar fanboy so they gave him a chance, and also to put off the "compliance car" label that will come if they only sell in ZEV states.

 

[N5329K]

Good for him. The more the merrier.
Robin

 

[DennisLevitt]

If he's had that many Jaguars, I wonder what his regular car is? The one he uses when the Jaguar is in the shop.

 

[RxShah]

That's okay. Neither did Jaguar before they made it.

 

[Demerol]

How many of his previous Jaguars were on blocks in his front yard?

 

[JohnSnowNW]

I applaud Jaguar for making the i-Pace, and I think it has merits as an EV. I believe the automotive presses' infatuation with the "Tesla Killer" trope is what's at issue here. I mean, Jaguar is to blame too...comparing the i-Pace to the much larger X75D didn't do anything to legitimize the vehicle.

The fact is, the i-Pace just doesn't compare well to a Teslas in its class, chiefly the Model 3, but also the Model S. Which is why you see an article like this focusing on subjective aspects of the comparison.

The i-Pace is a chunky wagon that will appeal to some people, and if it can spark an interest in BEVs then it will have served its purpose.

 

[Xenoilphobe]

I’m not a fan of stupidity. The Jaguar is a stupid fiscal decision. If his wife is a realtor they could have gotten the X for $25,000 with the 75% “hummer” tax rewrite off for vehicles over 6000 lbs GVW Model X IRS 100% Deduction “Hummer Loophole” - 2018 Edition the Jaquar doesn’t qualify. The Jaguar is also known for its POS quality and the Jaguar is a Jaguar so it must be compared to the Tesla, but unfortunately it’s an Indian made Jaquar Ford thingy with little of its heritage left. But it’s a Jaguar and it doesn’t qualify for the IRS writeoff, but it’s a Jaquar with a crappy interior. It’s Jaguars best EV. Jaguar or Tesla. $75,000 back in your pocket or 1990’s design studio.... the decision is so hard..... Jaguar. Jaquar Jaguar. Jaquar...NOT.

 

[Peteski]

If EVs are seen as legitimate more people will buy Teslas. It's not a zero sum game consider EV adoption is in the low single digits.

What we're seeing in the UK are people considering buying an iPace who wouldn't normally have looked at a Tesla and then in the process of their research and due diligence concluding that they should actually be buying a Model S. Not all of course and there are also a few Tesla owners moving the other way (mostly just because they fancy a change from yet another Tesla). But I really don't think the iPace is hurting net Tesla sales one little bit.