New Jaguar F-Pace SVR makes UK debut
New 542bhp Jaguar F-Pace SVR has the Porsche Macan Turbo in its sights with supercharged 5.0-litre V8
The new Jaguar F-Pace SVR has made its first public appearance on UK soil at Silverstone, with its sights firms set on the current crop of class leading super-SUVs.
On sale now, the latest JLR Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) project has the same power as Jaguar’s legendary XJ220 supercar. There’s a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 under the bonnet that has 542bhp and 680Nm of torque, while the power is fed through a four-wheel-drive system with an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
The F-Pace SVR has nearly 100bhp more than a Porsche Macan Turbo Performance Pack. Jaguar claims the F-Pace SVR will cover the 0-62mph sprint in 4.3 seconds en route to a top speed of 176mph, making it 0.1 seconds faster to 62mph and 7mph quicker than the Porsche.
A mild effort to trim some weight comes in the form of new lightweight forged alloy wheels, while larger, lightweight brakes and a new Variable Valve Active exhaust system is fitted. This promises to deliver a boisterous V8 soundtrack.
Jaguar has targeted a five per cent reduction in body roll with chassis and suspension tweaks. The front and rear springs are 30 per cent and 10 per cent stiffer respectively, with the alterations paired to a new anti-roll bar set-up and uprated dampers.
Elsewhere, the rear wheels are 25mm wider than the fronts for extra grip. In addition to these mechanical tweaks, the F-Pace now features the same Electronic Active Differential found on the F-Type, and the controls and electronic systems in charge of the car’s drivetrain and adaptive suspension have been calibrated for the SVR.
The electronic power steering set-up and the ‘Dynamic’ mode available via the drive selector menu have also been revised in a bid to emphasise the SVR’s character, with sharper steering and more aggressive gearshifts.
The car’s visual transformation isn’t dramatic, but is noticeable thanks to a new bodykit designed with aerodynamic efficiency in mind. The new front apron sports large air intakes, and side vents draw out air from the wheelarches. The arches have been extended to give the SVR a wider stance, and are joined by new side skirts intended to make the hot F-Pace appear low and sporty.
The engine is hidden beneath a new bonnet with additional cooling intakes, and the back end is defined by two aggressive horizontal cuts at each rear corner, plus a new diffuser that’s home to four exhaust pipes.
Inside, the F-Pace SVR has new slimline sports seats in the front, with diamond quilting and embossed SVR logos on the headrests. The outer rear seats change too, mimicking the style of the front pair.
Final changes include a new gear selector, plus an SVR-branded steering wheel and Jaguar’s Touch Pro 10-inch infotainment system with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Prices for the F-Pace SVR start from £74,835.
Read our in-depth review on the standard Jaguar F-Pace right here...
