As the Jaguar F-Pace draws closer to its debut at the 2015 Frankfurt Auto Show, its maker has decided to offer a little tease of the first-ever Jag crossover undergoing some extreme-weather testing. We may not have any more substantial details, but at least we know the air conditioning works in a desert.
The F-Pace recently spent some time at Jaguar Land Rover's testing facility in Arjeplog, Sweden, where winter temperatures rarely climb above -15 degrees Celsius (5 degrees Fahrenheit), and can plummet to -40 degrees Celsius (-40 degrees Fahrenheit). The facility's roughly 37 miles of track were used to calibrate the all-wheel drive system and various electronic aids.
It then went to Dubai, where Jaguar claims temperatures can exceed 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) in the shade. In direct sunlight, vehicle cabins can reach a temperature of 70 degrees Celsius (158 degrees Fahrenheit), which Jaguar says makes Dubai the perfect environment for testing climate control. Traffic pushes systems even harder by reducing airflow.
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The lightly-camouflaged vehicles in Jaguar's photos don't reveal much more styling than the F-Pace that ran as a support vehicle for the Tour de France earlier this month. The styling doesn't deviate too far from the original C-X17 concept that debuted in Frankfurt back in 2013.
The F-Pace will compete with the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class in the small luxury crossover segment. Lighter-weight aluminum construction is expected to set it apart from the Germans, and Jaguar may emphasize sporty handling to a greater degree as well. It will likely share a platform with the XE and recently-redesigned XF sedans.
Powertrains are expected to include at least one 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine from Jaguar Land Rover's new Ingenium line, as well as the company's 3.0-liter supercharged V-6. An eight-speed automatic will likely be the only transmission option.
For more 2015 Frankfurt Auto Show updates, head over to our dedicated hub.
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