Is Jaguar’s Upcoming Full-Size J-Pace SUV a Diesel Hybrid?

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The rumors appear to be true and Jaguar is working on a full-size SUV model to be named J-Pace.

Spy photographers have caught a mule on a trailer that at first glance appears to be your run-of-the-millJaguar F-Pace. But upon closer inspection, the mule rides on a lengthened wheelbase and also features a reworked front fascia, a different front grille and a redesigned rear bumper. It also appears that the mule has a single exhaust tip placed on the left-hand side rear valance.

Considering the Jaguar F-Pace just hit the market, it would be a huge surprise to hear that the automaker is already working on a facelift. Knowing that, it’s more than likely that this prototype is serving as a mule for a larger SUV to take on the Audi Q7, Mercedes GLS and the upcoming BMW X7.

The most interesting bit about the prototype is that the license plate is registered to a vehicle that is using an electric diesel powertrain, hinting that Jaguar is looking at a diesel-hybrid for its full-size SUV. The engine is noted to be a 2.0-liter four-cylinder mill that could be turbocharged, although that’s unclear.

The question remains: which platform will the Jaguar J-Pace ride on? Some suggest that it would utilize the XJ’s aluminum platform or Jaguar might even borrow something from Land Rover. Either way, expect to see the full-size Jaguar J-Pace to reach the market by 2019 as a 2020 model year.

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