It doesn't matter if you've got almost 95 years of experience in the world of performance cars - if you want to move product these days, high-stance utility is where it's at. What's more, customers now demand speed with their practicality, flagrantly abusing the laws of physics through forced induction and an oversized contact patch. It's certainly a popular formula - Porsche, Bentley, Maserati, and Lamborghini have all heard the siren call of the sporty SUV. So has Jaguar, which recently unveiled its first-ever crossover just last year. It's called the F-Pace, and it's pretty quick. But some think it could be quicker, and rumor has it there's a new apex-munching, V-8-powered range-topper headed our way called the SVR.
The Cat Badge has yet to confirm the F-Pace SVR's existence, but Car And Driver is optimistic, reporting Jag already has prototypes up and running. That's a pretty quick turnaround, considering the SUV just started production.
That said, JLR certainly has what it takes to make it happen. The letters ?SVR? are a reference to Special Vehicle Operations, the brand's specialty tuning division, which means the F-Pace SVR would join the same go-faster stable as the F-Type SVR and Range Rover Sport SVR.
Should it become a thing, the F-Pace SVR could see a reveal as early as next year, possibly at the Geneva International Motor Show. Assuming it does indeed become a reality, what will the F-Pace SVR offer? Read on for my speculative review.
As is, the F-Pace already looks very sporty. It employs Jaguar's latest design language to great effect, mixing the bold qualities of a traditional SUV, such as an elevated stance, beefy haunches, and a tall seating position, with the crisp lines and refined elegance already present in the rest of the lineup. Up front, the fascia echoes the XE, particularly around the headlights, grille, and lower intakes, while the rear is like a hatchback version of the F-Type. Amazingly, it all comes together without a hitch.
If Jaguar follows through with an F-Pace SVR, expect the inherently muscular design to take on an even more aggressive demeanor, with many cues taken straight from the F-Type. The front bumper would receive larger intakes, plus a chrome accent along the lower center grille and a glossy black insert. The narrow, LED-equipped headlights would remain as is, but the hood would receive black vents. Additional vents would be placed on the tail-side of the front fenders, also finished in black.
A front splitter, side skirt extensions, and a rear diffuser would enhance the aerodynamics while also bringing the SUV a little closer to the ground, both visually and dimensionally. Large wheels, low-profile tires, and plus-sized brake calipers would be found in the corners. SVR badges would reiterate the SUV's intentions, just in case they weren't already crystal clear.
One of the greatest appeals of the sporty SUV is a comfortable, luxury-laden cabin, where high-end materials and high-tech amenities complement generous passenger volume. To that end, brushed metal trim, aluminum shift paddles, leather upholstery, and customizable ambient lighting would all come standard on the F-Pace SVR.
For infotainment, Jag should offer the latest iteration of its InControl system, including navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, and smartphone app support. Controlling it all will be a large touchscreen mounted in the center console, plus a few redundant buttons at the three- and nine-o-clock positions on the three-spoke steering wheel. Occupying the gauge cluster will be an all-digital readout, while a Meridian sound system provides the jams.
Of course, being a product of SVO, the SVR would also get sportier seats, boasting big lateral bolsters and quilted-leather upholstery, plus a heating function. More SVR badges would be emblazoned upon the headrests. Up top, the panoramic roof might get ditched to save a few pounds (er, kilograms).
Options would include new upholstery colors, plus driver's aides like automatic braking, lane-keep assist, and parking assist. There should also be an option for carbon fiber trim.
In addition to seating for five, the F-Pace SVR will also offer lots of room for things. As is, the cargo area on the F-Pace already swallows 33.5 cubic feet of stuff with the bench in the upright position, and I don't see the SVR cutting into that number for any reason.
he current F-Pace offers three options when it comes to choosing a powerplant. The first is a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder diesel, good for 180 horsepower and 318 pound-feet of torque. Next is a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6, which is available in two levels of tune - 340 horsepower, or 380 horsepower. Both V-6 engines offer 332 pound-feet of torque.
Each of these is more than adequate for something like the F-Pace, with the top-spec F-Pace S capable of sprinting to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds and hitting a top speed of 155 mph.
However, add the letters SVR to the name, and you're gonna need more. A lot more.
The ?more? comes courtesy of two additional supercharged cylinders in Jaguar's tried-and-true 5.0-liter V-8. It's the same mill fitted to the F-Type SVR and Range Rover Sport SVR, although in this case, we expect output levels to match the Range Rover (542 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque) rather than the F-Type (567 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque).
Even with the slightly detuned engine, the F-Pace SVR should still hit 60 mph in the low four-second range, going on to a top speed of 160 mph.
Like the current line, the faster F-Pace will employ an 8-speed automatic transmission from ZF, which will feed a permanent AWD system as standard.
The F-Pace rides on the same aluminum-intensive iQ underpinnings as the XF and XE, which means it's got the right bones for performance. In fact, Jaguar says it managed to achieve a 50/50 front-to-back distribution for the SUV's 4,000-pound curb weight, although the addition of a large V-8 will undoubtedly make it much more nose-heavy.
Still, the F-Pace should impress if you throw it a few corners. Car And Driver drove the current model, saying, ?The F-Pace is no dynamic slouch; it offers exceptionally sharp on-center steering precision and great turn-in response.?
Part of its liveliness lies in its AWD system, which sends the majority of the torque to the rear, engaging the front wheels only when needed. It's also got optional adaptive suspension, a feature that should come standard on the SVR and would include unique calibrations for even greater SUV corner carving.
Tire duties will be handled by the same Pirelli P Zero compound as what's equipped on the F-Type SVR.
The regular F-Pace starts at $40,990, and goes as high as $56,700 for the range-topping F-Pace S.
So how much would an SVR add to the bottom line?
Considering where a high-performance F-Pace would sit amongst the competition, plus the fact Jag charges an extra $20K for an SVR'd F-Type, I'd wager a price tag around $85,000, with plenty of opportunities for adding extras.