FIRST came the title of UK Car of The Year 2019, the choice of 29 motoring journalists.

That was followed by the crown of European Car Of The Year, decided by a further 60 scribes Then it lifted not only the title of World Car Of The Year but also scooped the trophies for best design and World Green Car – the first time a car had won three World Car categories in the 15-year history of the awards. Eighty car writers gave it the nod this time.

It has certainly been some year for the Jaguar I-Pace, rightly tagged the most desirable premium electric vehicle across the globe.

For not only is the I-Pace a beautifully crafted all-electric SUV, it is also an electrifying car to drive.

This Jag leaps from 0 to 62mph in only 4.8 seconds, with virtually instant acceleration that cannot be matched by a conventional internal combustion engine. That’s premium sports car performance, and there’s not a single gram of CO2 emissions to boot.

Whether you want to waft silently through a cityscape or press on quickly down a motorway, the I-Pace will do the job with the minimum of fuss. It is an amazing car to drive.

Pop-out door handles, a simple button layout to choose Drive, Reverse or Park, top-notch touchscreen graphics and a plethora of driving aids are among the first things to be noticed.

But the luxurious mix of swathes of leather and other quality materials make you feel you are in a very special car too. And you certainly are just that.

Don’t bother with optional air suspension. The I-Pace deals with the vagaries of our rough roads very nicely without, thank you.

As the all-electric version of the F-Pace, the I-Pace had a hard act to follow because of the former’s success in winning the World Car Of The Year title two years earlier.

The drivetrain was key to its success. With a stated range of 294 from a full charge, it has removed to a large extent the range anxiety that certainly plagued early examples of all-electric cars. Only the more expensive Tesla can match it in this area.

A week of testing in the real world led me to the conclusion that you are unlikely to achieve a range of more than 250 miles, but that certainly brings into play a lot of journeys that only a couple of years ago would have been deemed unthinkable.

Compatible with 100kW charging points that give an 80 per cent charge in 45 minutes, ,with a 15-minutes charge giving a range of about 60 miles, the I-Pace can be trickle-charged overnight from a domestic supply or fast-charged.

So how does it achieve its remarkable performance? Two Jaguar-designed electric motors – which feature driveshafts passing through the motors themselves for compactness – are placed at each axle, producing exceptional combined performance of 400PS and all-wheel-drive, all-surface traction.

The high torque density and high-energy efficiency characteristics of the motors deliver that sports car performance, while the instantaneous performance is matched with the exceptional ride comfort and engaging driving dynamics.

The bespoke EV aluminium architecture uses advanced riveting and bonding technology to deliver a light, stiff body structure. Together with the structural battery pack, it has the highest torsional rigidity of any Jaguar.

Its sleek, coupe-like silhouette is influenced by the Jaguar C-X75 supercar with a short, low bonnet, aero-enhanced roof design and a curved rear screen that is a little restricted on visibility.

This cab-forward design contrasts with its squared-off rear, which helps reduce the drag coefficient. To optimise the balance between cooling and aerodynamics, active vanes in the grille open when cooling is required, but close when not needed to redirect air through the integral bonnet scoop, smoothing airflow.

In the rear, legroom is a generous 890mm for passengers, with no transmission tunnel, and there’s a useful 10.5-litre central storage compartment. The luggage compartment offers a 656-litre capacity – and 1,453 litres with seats folded flat.

Designed from the outset as an electric vehicle, the I-Pace offers 50/50 weight distribution and both astonishes and delights.

It places Jaguar at the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution and is a five-star performer in every respect.

AT A GLANCE

Jaguar I-Pace 400PS Electric S

Price: £63,495 (I-Pace range from £60,995)

Powertrain: Two electric motors producing 400PS

Transmission: Automatic driving all wheels

Performance: 0 to 62mph in 4.8 seconds; top speed 124mph

Charging: 80% in 45 minutes with 100kW charging point; 12 hours 54 minutes with 7kW supply

Range: Up to 292 miles (stated)

CO2 emissions: 0g/km

RATINGS

Performance: *****

Economy: *****

Ride/Handling: *****

Space/Practicality: *****

Equipment: *****

Security/Safety: *****

Value For Money: *****

OVERALL: *****