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Jaguar offering I-Pace Nurburgring hot laps for $164

Jaguar is adding the I-Pace electric crossover as an option for its Nurburgring "taxi rides." After launching the I-Pace eTrophy one-make racing series, Jaguar wants to spread the sporting love and offer prospective customers the chance to experience The Green Hell in a battery-powered environment. In 2018, Jaguar introduced the XE SV Project 8 race taxi service. As the car Jaguar used to break the four-door sedan lap record (twice), it offers an extreme experience with all sorts of grunt and aural engagement. With the I-Pace, Jaguar offers an alternative, less intense, but still fun choice. The I-Pace, with its 90 kWh lithium-ion battery, makes 395 horsepower and 513 lb-ft of torque. Jaguar claims it can do zero to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. The electric crossover will do a 12.9-mile (20.8 kilometers) lap with 73 corners. The customer will ride with a "professional, experienced racer," though Jaguar does not specify names. Passengers must be at least 18 years old, must weigh less than 265 pounds, and cannot be taller than 6 1/2 feet.  While a single lap in the Project 8 costs $278, including taxes, a single lap in the I-Pace is significantly less at $164. It's worth noting, however, a ride in the I-Pace might include two other passengers (three max), while the ride in the Project 8 only allows for one passenger. Booking is open now.

2021 Jaguar E-Pace refreshed with latest infotainment, more powerful trim

As with other Jaguars including the F-Pace and XF, the littlest 2021 Jaguar E-Pace is getting an update. And compared with those larger models, the E-Pace's changes are far more modest and center on the new infotainment system. That's not to say there aren't visual changes. On the outside, the main change is the addition of full-LED headlights with dual strips of running lights. It also gets fender vents with the "Leaper" Jaguar cat logo. Inside, the center stack has been revised with new knobs and switches below a big 11.4-inch touchscreen that features the latest Jaguar infotainment system. The large shift lever has been swapped for a smaller shift paddle shared with the aforementioned Jaguars. A 12.3-inch screen is also available for the instrument panel. All E-Paces also now have the option of a rear-view camera mirror. Two engines are available on the new E-Pace. The P250 and P250 SE get a turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 246 horsepower. The newly added P300 Sport gets a higher output version making 296 horsepower. No matter the trim, the engine is paired with a nine-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. The P300 Sport augments its all-wheel drive with torque vectoring for the rear wheels. The base P250 E-Pace starts at $42,045, the P250 SE at $47,145, and the P300 Sport at $51,045. Related Video:

Automakers want to stop the EPA's fuel economy rules change, and why that's a shortsighted move

With a Trump Administration looming, the EPA moved quickly after the election to propose finalizing future fuel economy rules last week. The auto industry doesn't like that (surprise), and has started making moves to stop the EPA. Ford CEO Mark Fields said he wanted to lobby Trump to lower the standards, and now the Auto Alliance, a manufacturer group, is saying it will join the fight against cleaner cars. The Alliance represents 12 automakers: BMW, Fiat Chrysler, Ford, GM, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Porsche, Toyota, VW, and Volvo. Gloria Bergquist, a spokesperson for the Alliance, told Automotive News that the "EPA's sudden and controversial move to propose auto regulations eight months early - even after Congress warned agencies about taking such steps while political appointees were packing their bags - calls out for congressional action to pause this rulemaking until a thoughtful policy review can occur." The EPA was going to consider public comments through April 2017, but then said it would move the deadline to the end of December. That means that it can finalize the rules before President Obama leaves office. The director of public affairs for the Consumer Federation of America, Jack Gillis, said on a conference call with reporters last week when the EPA originally announced its decision that it is unlikely that President Trump will be able to roll back these changes. Gillis also said on the same call that any attempt by the automakers to prevent these changes would be history repeating itself. "These are the same companies that fought airbags, and now promoting the fact that every car has multiple airbags," he said. "These are the same companies that fought the crash-test program, and now are promoting the crash-test ratings published by the government. So, it's clear that they're misperceiving the needs of the American consumer." There are more reasons the Allliance's pushback is flawed. Carol Lee Rawn, the transportation program director for Ceres, said on that call that the automotive industry is a global one, and many automakers are moving to global platforms to help them meet strict fuel economy rules around the world.