There was a time when Jaguar planners couldn’t stomach the idea of a station wagon, never mind an SUV. These days, however, the British marque’s utility vehicles handily outperform its traditional sedans, coupes and sports cars.
That’s been the case on the sales charts anyway, but now, the big Jaguar F-Pace will be able to even better hold its own against pretty much anything else in the line-up with the introduction of an updated SVR edition. Its supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 will launch the SUV from 0-60 in just 3.8 seconds, while propelling it to a top speed of 178 mph.
“The original F-Pace SVR was incredibly characterful, well received by customers and has gone on to become the highest-selling Jaguar SV product ever,” said Michael van der Sande, managing director of Jaguar Special Vehicle Operations. “The new version builds on this success, by making numerous detailed improvements that combine to raise the bar in the high-performance SUV segment.”
(First Look: 2021 Jaguar F-Pace.)
Once limited to a handful of special-edition models, SVR has become a mainstay of the Jaguar family, the British automaker’s answer to the likes of BMW’s vaunted M and Daimler’s powerful Mercedes-AMG offerings.
For the new model year, the Special Vehicle Operations team will build on the original, high-performance version of the biggest of Jaguar’s three SUVs.
The 2021 Jaguar F-Pace SVR will be motivated by a beefed up version of Jaguar’s familiar 5.0-liter V-8, the supercharged package now churning out 550 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. That’s 14 lb-ft more than the outgoing model, and one of the reasons why the ute’s 0-60 times have dropped 0.3 seconds, to 3.8 seconds. Top speed jumps 2 mph, to 178.
Performance-minded drivers will notice several factors contributing to the improved numbers, including the new Dynamic Launch function which maintains torque to the wheels, even gear changes. And Dynamic Mode, one of the various driver-adjustable settings, adds a more sporty tuning to key vehicle functions.
That includes the upgraded electronic power-assisted steering, as well as the F-Pace SVR’s adaptive damping system. The Integrated Power Booster system, meanwhile, means shorter brake throw for a more sporty response, Jaguar claims.
“The move to Jaguar’s new Electrical Vehicle Architecture gave us the opportunity to revisit the calibration of every single component, so we took the chance to fine-tune the driving experience to make it feel even more focused and even more refined,” said Paul Barritt, F-Pace SVR chief program engineer, Jaguar SV.
(From track to street to track with the Jaguar I-Pace.)
Other niceties drivers should appreciate, Jaguar notes, include a stopwatch, G-Meter and pedal graph that displays when the SVR is switched to Dynamic mode.
Visual updates and relatively modest, according to the automaker, and the emphasis is on function over form.
“The design of the new F-Pace SVR is inspired by motorsport experience,” according to a Jaguar statement, “with enhanced airflow and aerodynamic benefits delivered through new apertures and vents for improved powertrain and brake cooling. The changes deliver superior aerodynamic performance, including 35% reduction in aerodynamic lift and a reduction in drag.”
Like other versions of the F-Pace, the SVR edition features Jaguar’s latest PIVI-Pro infotainment system with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Ride comfort is enhanced by Active Road Noise Cancellation, and smartphone-like over-the-air updates can be used to tweak the vehicle’s technology without requiring owners to visit a dealer.
From a more traditional standpoint, the cabin has been updated with new, more high-line materials, according to Jaguar, including leather and Alcantara. That suede-like material even is used to frame the 12.3-inch reconfigurable gauge cluster.
(Jaguar celebrating 60 years of E-type with limited-edition models.)
While pricing for the new 2021 Jaguar F-Pace SVR was not released yet, the outgoing model starts at $80,600 before delivery fees.