The Tesla Model 3 has landed in Australia and on paper it makes a compelling argument
– relatively affordable, an excellent drive and no shortage of tech and safety.
This is in essence an electric car from a tech company.
It’s a very different approach to the way most electric cars are conceived, and the
Jaguar IPACE is a perfect demonstration as to why.
This is in no way a comparison – for starters the IPACE and Model 3 compete in different
segments, and at $66,000, the entry level Standard Range Model 3 is less than half the
price of the $135,000 IPACE SE.
They are also philosophically different, the Jag has its roots in the car industry, whereas
the Tesla has tech origins.
The Model 3’s arrival in Australia does pose a key question.
Has the US tech company beat traditional car-makers at their own game?
The Model 3 has long been touted as an electric car for the masses, and at $66,000 it certainly
offers that mass market appeal.
Stepping into the cabin, there’s some genuinely clever solutions – next to no physical switchgear,
over the air tech updates and that sleek glass roof.
This 15-inch screen controls everything and there’s no traditional start button.
On the road, the Model 3 has some genuinely strong credentials.
Don’t forget that Tesla has recruited some pretty serious car company executives and
engineers to get to this point, and this is a pleasing result.
The throttle tip-in is linear, it builds speed progressively and the driving blueprint is
a sporty one, with a firm but never crashy ride, and decent road holding for a 1800kg
car.
Officially, the Model 3 boasts a nought to 100 time of 5.6 seconds, and range of 460km.
On the latter, we experienced closer to 350km in real-world conditions.
The Model 3’s tech-foundations are embededded in eight cameras, 12 ultrasonic sensors and
a forward facing radar, which not only facilitate driver aids, but act as security cameras and
dash cams.
Then there’s the Jaguar.
Its car industry origins are evidenced by the fact its an SUV – the boom segment.
Two electric motors, all-wheel drive and a nought to 100km/h time of 4.8 seconds step
up the power game, but the Jaguar offers a similar range of 470km on paper.
You’d never say the IPACE is bound by automotive convention but it does adhere to tradition
a little more strongly.
It has a traditional grille on the front, the interior presents similarly to an internal
combustion car, and it goes without a lot of the novelty factor that seems to define
the Model 3.
This feels more like a luxury car.
On the road, again, the 2100kg Jaguar hides its mass relatively well, with low-slung batteries.
It’s ride is a little softer and being all-wheel drive it has some genuine off-road ability
– including up to 500mm water wading depth.
That’s a key point of different, and reflects the IPACE’s traditional car manufacturer
origins.
In reality, the Jaguar’s all-electric range was closer to 350 than 470km.
And another thing in the Tesla’s favour is its 30-strong network of Supercharger stations
across the country.
There is no official winner here and it’s fare to say both Jaguar and Tesla are at different
points in their electric car journeys.
But both these cars bring their own selling points – the Tesla affordable electric motoring,
presence and no shortage of tech, the Jaguar luxury, practicality and traditional prestige
appeal.
Which ever way you spin, the electric car is here and it is making an increasingly bigger
splash.