Work Hard, Drive Harder - Luxe Living with Jaguar’s F-PACE

What do you do when you have a brand new Jaguar for a week? And not any Jaguar, might I add - I’m referring to Jaguar’s first ever SUV, the suitably dynamic F-PACE. You take it on a luxury road trip, of course, because when you drive an F-PACE, surely your bank account (or credit rating) can't look too shabby.

The sting without the bling

A venerable contender to the luxury SUV throne, the F-PACE immediately looks the part, without unnecessary bling and outrageous styling. It’s all very simple, but powerful-looking. The design cues such as the slender head and taillights are very F-TYPE indeed - but that’s a good thing, as the F TYPE continues to outsell its rivals in South Africa. Competition for the F-PACE include the Mercedes-Benz GLC, Audi Q5, BMW X4, Lexus RX and even the Range Rover Evoque.

Smaller goes further

The Rhodium Silver F-PACE I picked up in Cape Town is the smaller-engined 2.0-litre diesel derivative, in R Sport-guise. I selected the 2.0-litre diesel because (contrary to your average new Jaguar owner), I don’t have a large budget. On paper, Jaguar’s consumption figure for the F-PACE (on the combined cycle) is 5.3 litres per 100 km. I was planning to add quite a few kilos to the odometer, so I wanted something frugal. I ask Jaguar’s fleet controller if I can take the Jag off-road, but then I notice the wheels: sexy 20-inch black alloys with 255/50 tyres - not terribly low-profile, but definitely not bundu-friendly. Although the F-PACE is perfectly capable of handling the great outdoors, I wasn’t going to take it any further than corrugated gravel. But first we’re off to Equus restaurant at Cavalli Stud and Wine Farm near Stellenbosch for an early dinner - it’s restaurant week, after all, and we have diesel to burn!

Blissful dining at Equus

I park the gorgeous F-PACE in front of the building, and the standard front parking sensors go nuts - as if I am about to tarnish its regal nose against the bark of a tree. Over-the-shoulder visibility isn’t great, so the standard rearview camera comes in handy. Should you reverse out of your parking space (or driveway), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (optional) will also warn you of vehicles coming past. As we step outside, the other patrons don’t even pretend to hide their interest in the F-PACE, and a gentleman walks over to inquire about pricing. Yes, the F-Pace, at R 871 266 (without options) costs less than the Porsche Macan (from R1088 000).

We settle in for a wine tasting (I have to expectorate, or spit, because I’m driving), followed not by a meal, but a foodie-experience. I order the barn-raised duck breast with mango puree, served with sweetcorn salsa and a Thai coconut reduction, at R105 (see photo). It is even more delectable than it sounds. I also have a taste of the courgette & parmesan soup with compressed apple,courgette noodles and parsley almond crumble (R65). Then we tuck into our mind-blowing mains. You’d be hard pressed to find something more fresh and imaginative than the magic that is dished up at this restaurant. If you look into the open kitchen, there doesn’t seem to be a chef over the age of 28, so I am not surprised that their youthful vibrance is directly translated into the edible pleasure on your plate. When the bill arrives, it’s not ridiculously steep. When I get quality and service like this, I do not mind paying. Visit the website www.cavallistud.com, book, and thank me later.

In control

As the sky darkens, we decide to head home. We make ourselves comfortable in the 10-way electric adjustable seats (R5800). As standard, you get an 8-way manually adjustable seat, but the press cars are usually kitted out with everything that opens and shuts. This F PACE is no exception, and we fully utilise the voice-activated satnav of the InControl Touch Pro infotainment system, which includes the Meridian Digital Sound system (R32 800). Is it a necessary expense? I don’t really think so - it’s a lot of extra cash even though the system has a quick, quad-core processor. Rather opt for the InControl Touch system at R7200 - you’ll still have great sound and all the necessities, even though it’s not the user-friendliest of systems.

It’s a deserted Clarence Drive as we make our way home, and I set the the Xenon headlamps on bright (High Beam Assist is optional). The F-PACE feels strangely familiar as I slice through the sharp corners… Yes, you heard right - it actually corners magnificently, considering its stature. That familiar feeling is thanks to the F-TYPE heritage - even though the F-PACE is an SUV of 1775 kilos with 213 mm of ground clearance, it sure doesn’t feel like it. Thanks to Jaguar’s ‘lightweight aluminium architecture’ (and other magnesium bits like the cross-bar beam), the engineers have saved quite a bit in kerb weight. Other factors that promote its sure-footedness, include the all-wheel-drive system’s torque vectoring. This means you really can drive this SUV as if it’s a hot hatch, and it won’t allow you to slip or skid, transferring the torque to the wheel where it’s needed most.

The next morning we’re off to Greyton, driving merrily along the winding country road, listening to the tunes pre-loaded on the 10GB hard drive. There’s some road noise, and a  little wind noise, but we chat away while I relish the ride. Our F-PACE comes with optional Adaptive Damping, and it does help, even though the ride could feel a little more pliant when we take a pretty detour on bad gravel. Tyres with a bit more rubber on them should also help. This particular F-PACE loves the tarmac more than anything else.

In Greyton, we sit on the stoep of some quaint little coffee-shop and watch the world go by. Then we head for Franschhoek, because we have a booking at one of the most exclusive and luxurious guest farms in the area, by the name of La Petite Dauphine - in French, it means ‘The Little Princess’. On the Franschhoek Pass there’s plenty slow-moving traffic, and frustration ensues when I’m prevented from utilising the F-PACE’s athletic abilities on the exciting hairpin bends.

So much beauty

Upon our arrival at breathtaking La Petite Dauphine, I immediately understand why it hails as it does. The working wine and plum farm is a green and lush, vineyard-ensconced jewel. The management is warm and accommodating, and we learn that we have been upgraded to a Luxury Suite. Concierge leads us to a free-standing cottage through yet another leafy vineyard. Our Luxury Suite is situated on the edge of a calming, natural pond, overlooking rosebushes and ancient Oak trees with the dramatic blue cliffs of the Franschhoek mountains as a backdrop. It is so picturesque that it’s surreal. A little further down, I notice that some of the other suites even have their own private splash pools. The farm is a glamorous and chic wedding venue too. Who wouldn’t want to get hitched in this paradise?

Our suite couldn’t be more tastefully decorated (see photos), yet it is homely and romantic, with a natural wood-burning fireplace. I take a long bath, wrap myself in one of the fluffy robes and enjoy a glass of chilled champagne on our terrace. Currently, my weekend and this establishment have something in common: Both are five-star.

When we wake up the following morning, it’s drizzling softly, and the coals in the fireplace are still glowing faintly orange. Breakfast on the farm is at Café Bonbon (rated number 7 of all 50 restaurants in Franschhoek, according to www.tripadvisor.com), and we tuck into lovingly prepared Eggs Benedict, with lashings of smoked trout and caper berries on the side. Everything is made to perfection here, and we feel content and very spoilt when we bid the friendly management and the staff adieu. If you really need to escape from the stresses of reality, a weekend here should sort you out nicely! Go to www.lapetite.com to book.

Sockets for all

Back in the F-PACE I plug my iPhone cable into one of four USB-ports. Finally! A manufacturer has realised that people travel with multiple devices. Families, especially, need charging points and USB ports. Everything from a phone to a laptop needs a place to charge, more than often simultaneously. There are also 3 x 12V sockets in the F-PACE. Speaking of families, adults and children alike will have plenty of room to stretch out on the rear bench, and the boot is generously sized, regardless of the full-size spare wheel. What irks me a little though, is that there’s plenty of spec that should be standard in this price range, but is listed as pricey optional extras. Keyless entry, for example, will set you back R 11 300. If you do have R 4 300 laying about, invest in the Activity Key. Worn as a wristband which acts as a key, it allows you to go for a swim or run while your key fob resides, locked and inactivated, inside the F-PACE until you return.

Overzealous driving - you just can’t help yourself

Driving back, I have a look at the trip computer. Obviously I have been driving the F-PACE as if it’s a BMW M1, because our consumption is up to nearly 10 litres per 100 km. This is not great, and I vow to drive in a more relaxed and serene manner from now on. Driving on the R44 at a wholesome 100 km/h, I can already see the figures dropping - by the time we get to Betty’s Bay we are down to 7. Given more time I am sure I would have been able to improve that number. If you do fancy yourself as more of a spirited driver, the fiery 3.0-litre V6 diesel F-PACE-derivatives (with 700 Nm!) will suit you much better (from R 942 646). Are you a bit of a hooligan who still needs to do the school run every so often? Rest assured that the howling, riotous F-PACE 35t AWD S (V6 with 280 kW) is a mere R1 201 246 away. Or go the whole hog and buy the flagship model: The F-PACE 35t AWD S First Edition, at R 1 331 146. Go to www.jaguar.co.za to view all the different derivatives - there are 10 in total, but the above mentioned are the engines to choose from.

Whatever you decide on, the F-PACE will charm you most with its on-road charisma.

Facts & Figures
Price	: R 871 266
Engine	: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel
Transmission	: 8-speed automatic, ZF (standard)
Power	: 132 kW
Torque	: 430 Nm
0-100 km/h	: 8.7 seconds
Top speed	: 208 km/h
Fuel tank size	: 60 litres
Realistic fuel consumption	: 6.5 - 11 litres per 100 km
Airbags	: 6
Luggage volume	: 650 litres (463 l with full-size spare)
Warranty	: 3-year / 100 000 km
Maintenance plan	: 5-year / 100 000 km, service every 26 000 km.
Also consider	: Lexus RX, BMW X4, Range Rover Evoque