SUVs are big news at the moment, so the F-Pace is a very important new model for Jaguar.

All up six models have just gone on sale here. The 20d is powered by Jaguar-Land Rover’s recently released four-cylinder 1999cc Ingenium turbo four, and in basic ‘Prestige’ spec has an RRP of $95,000. The R-Sport spec – which includes Jaguar’s Configurable Dynamics feature to allow drivers to fine-tune throttle, steering and gear change response – brings that up to $100K.

R-Sport is the de facto spec on the 30d turbo-diesel and 35t petrol models ($115,000). As well as the  S model ($130,000) you can also have a 30d (powered by the 2993cc V6 turbo-diesel) in S-spec for $125,000.

The 35t and S models share the same (fantastic, engaging etc, etc) supercharged 2995cc V6 petrol engine but the S’s is tuned to produce 30kWs more peak power (280) than the 35t (250).

Standard features across all local market models include electric power steering and an electronic park brake, intelligent stop/start, a full suite of electronic driver aids and air bags plus an eight inch touch-screen display with navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, USB and five 12V power sockets.

S-spec adds Adaptive Dampers, red-painted brake calipers, 20 in. dia. alloy wheels and various other trim items.

There are also nine option packs. The priciest (at $7,600) adds an 825W sound system, 10.2 in. Touch screen, 12.3 in. instrument display with virtual dials and 10GBs of storage.

Slightly cheaper are a heated steering wheel, rear seats and windscreen for $2,300, and a head up display for $3,000.

All NZ-spec F-Paces use ZF’s latest eight-speed automatic transmission and (by now familiar) rotary ‘shifter’ dial and steering wheel-mounted shift paddles.

To read the full story in the September 2016 issue of NZ4WD go to Zinio.com(link is external) (August 22) or purchase your own hard copy at the Adrenalin store.