Jaguar F-Pace SVR – Flagship performance SUV brings the heat

A defining model. Jaguars´ SV department has always created something that stands out, but tackling an SUV and making it worthy of an SV badge is a task of a completely different caliber. Apparently, from actual numbers, SVO did it with the first gen F-Pace SVR. Being the highest-selling SV product ever is no joke. There is no going back to fast sedans and estates. The F-Pace SVR is here to stay and Jaguar has released their latest incarnation of it.

First off all. SVO is Special Vehicle Operations. A part of Jaguar that creates bespoke Jags. Unique paints, finishes of the interior, etc. What they also do is performance. That sounded a lot like Carrol Shelby´s intro of “Performance is my business”, but SVO also works like AMG, RS and M. A Jaguar, or a Range Rover for that matter, that has an SV badge on it will go fast. That’s just how it is.

The highlight is off course the tried and tested 5.0 L, Jaguar built, Supercharged V8. No turbocharger here. It produces 550 hp, which sounds a bit puny compared to the F-Type´s 575 hp. No change in hp. Instead, we see a torque increase of 20 Nm, giving a total of 700 Nm. The 0-100 km/h time has been reduced slightly to 3.8 s. Most probably thanks to a new and stronger torque converter taken from the Project 8.

To stop the F-Pace SVR, the brakes are 395 mm in the front and 396 mm in the rear. The whole braking system has been recalibrated to give a shorter brake pedal. The steering system is now electrically assisted. Recalibration of almost all components are what stands out. Here are some of the components that has seen some retuned:

• E-diff in the rear wheel biased all-wheel drive system  
• Adaptive dampers
• Greater change in comfort between different dynamic drive settings

The F-Pace SVR has also seen some major exterior tweaks. Not only to give a more muscular and dynamic look, but to also improve cooling and aerodynamics. The lift has been reduced by 35 %, the drag coefficient, a measurement of how “slippery” it is, to 0.36 C_d. The front cooling vents are bigger to help cool the engine, and the brakes. Not only functional, the changes have given the F-Pace a front that is stylish, while still having some proper presence.

New Pivi Pro infotainment system, 12.3” gauge cluster, 11.4” curved infotainment system and heaps of Alcantara and leather. The interior might have some SVR badging here and there, but calling it sporty would be like calling dress shoes as running shoes. Instead, it is about quality materials, design and SVO levels of finish.  

As tech becomes an ever increasing part of cars. The F-Pace SVR is no exception, although too much to get into in a simple news update, I will do a deep dive if it comes as a press car.  

Price in the UK starts at 86 000 euro. Trying to find a mid-sized SUV with around 550 hp for around 86 000 euro that isn´t the F-Pace, is almost impossible. The BMW X3 M is slower on paper, costs more, and is smaller. The GLC 63 S has less power, has the same 0-100 km/h time, similar size, but costs 4000 euro more. Audi has nothing comparable. The Jeep Grand Cherokee is from 72 000 euro, but once it lands on European soil. No one knows how much it would cost, and you can´t get it simply from Jeep the same way as the others I mentioned. The new Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrafoglio might then on pure specs alone be the most similar. 0-100 km/h in 3.8 s. Starting price of around 80 000 euro, and similar size.