Jaguar I-Pace electric SUV to be axed in switch to Bentley-rivalling electric-car range

The Jaguar I-Pace electric SUV has less than two years in production as the UK luxury-car maker prepares to scrap its entire model range – and introduce a new line-up of much more expensive cars.

As previously reported, Jaguar is planning a "relaunch" for 2025 with three lower-volume, super-luxury electric vehicles priced in excess of $200,000, intended to rival Bentley and Porsche – after years of slow sales in an attempt to challenge BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

There was a suggestion the I-Pace mid-size electric SUV – a Tesla and BMW rival priced from $140,000 plus on-road costs – would manage to survive the shake-up in showrooms.

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However the new boss of Jaguar Land Rover, Adrian Mardell, has told UK publication Autocar the I-Pace will be axed at the same time as Jaguar's petrol-powered range, comprised of the F-Type sports car, XE and XF sedans, and E-Pace and F-Pace SUVs.

"We don’t want [Jaguar vehicles] ... to be out of the market for too long, particularly the electrified one [I-Pace]," Mr Mardell reportedly told the UK outlet.

"Now we’re waiting for the confidence in [the arrival timing of Jaguar's bespoke electric-car platform, called] JEA.

"Right now, people are telling me it’s going to be in the first half of 2025. That’s just under two years away. I’d be more confident in that response when we’re nine to 12 months away."

According to Autocar, Mr Mardell's predecessor – Thierry Bolloré – suggested the I-Pace would remain on sale alongside the new Bentley rivals and be made "better and better".

Mr Mardell reportedly told Autocar that Jaguar plans to unveil the first of its new-generation electric vehicles – pitched as a "four-door GT", which could entail a sedan or a higher-riding vehicle – in late 2024, ahead of first deliveries in 2025.

The top Jaguar executive reiterated earlier comments from company officials that the new Jaguar models (teased below) will look distinctive.

"The wheelbase on these vehicles and this architecture will be longer. Then you can get the beautiful flows that you need from the vehicle," he said.

Jaguar is said to be targeting 4000 sales per month for its new electric-vehicle range – equating to nearly 50,000 sales annually.

Despite significantly higher prices, it is only a modest decrease on the 5000 monthly sales average that Jaguar has reported as of earlier this year – as parent company JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) prioritises semiconductor (computer chips) for more profitable Range Rover and Land Rover Defender SUVs, which have long wait times.

In 2018, Jaguar reported about 180,000 vehicles as sold – or approximately 15,000 vehicles per month.