{"id":54072,"date":"2019-04-29T15:06:24","date_gmt":"2019-04-29T14:06:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.influx.co.uk\/?p=54072"},"modified":"2022-06-14T10:44:42","modified_gmt":"2022-06-14T09:44:42","slug":"jaguar-f-pace-svr","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adrianflux.co.uk\/influx\/cars\/jaguar-f-pace-svr\/","title":{"rendered":"New Jaguar F-Pace SVR (2019-) First Drive Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Porsche Macan Turbo S has 400PS. Add the performance pack, and it becomes 440PS. And that’s quite a lot. A useful yardstick, then, when Jaguar pounces on to the scene and blows it out of the water with 550PS.<\/strong><\/p>\n

You see, Jaguar Land Rover\u2019s \u201cSpecial Vehicle Operations\u201d division got its hands on the F-Pace. And it went utterly insane.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/figure>\n

It bettered the Porsche\u2019s engine power by 25 per cent, and suddenly the Jaguar F-Pace SVR was born.<\/p>\n

But it doesn\u2019t stop there. In fact, Jaguar, who admitted using the Macan as a benchmark, found it so easy to beat the German car\u2019s performance that it had all the time in the world to grab a coffee or sixteen, before returning to fill the rest of its development time sorting out everything else.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/figure>\n

The F-Pace SVR is an out and out monster \u2013 a 5.0-litre supercharged V8, growling its way from 0-62mph in just 4.3 seconds and topping out at 176mph. Not bad for a vehicle that, parked next to a Koenigsegg, looks about as aerodynamic as the Vicar of Dibley.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/figure>\n

Actually, that\u2019s a very harsh assessment. It implies the F-Pace wallows about all over the place and then falls over. It isn\u2019t that. It\u2019s just that making any SUV \u2018sporty\u2019 is like putting lipstick on a pig compared with a proper supercar. But Jaguar has done a lot of work making the bumpers and side skirts aerodynamically efficient, as well as adding a rear lip spoiler to reduce drag and improve high-speed stability.<\/p>\n

And, boy, does it show.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/figure>\n

The ungracious size is no reflection on how the Jag handles. In fact, it\u2019s the SVR\u2019s party piece. It’s such good fun to drive around the corners, with precise and sensitive steering.<\/p>\n

It doesn\u2019t handle like an F-Type \u2013 the laws of physics don\u2019t stretch that far. But, my assessment of its cornering ability, compared with my expectations, is that it\u2019s mightily impressive, with limited body roll and tons of grip. This is thanks to dampers and springs that have been specifically made for the SVR, as well as a rear electronic active differential.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/figure>\n

It can be comfortable at lower speeds. But, given that it\u2019s tuned for sportiness, the suspension compromises the ride comfort. My test car had 22-inch rims which, while sounding impressive, is an optional extra over the standard 21-inch rubbers. Alluring as it is to have tyres so low-profile you can barely see them. Your spine will thank you for making one sensible decision by not giving in to such temptation.<\/p>\n

The four-wheel drive SUV comes with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, although the aluminium paddle shifters will impress those who dream of driving an F1 car. Albeit a fat one.<\/p>\n

On the inside, there are four LED colour themes to choose from and five roomy seats \u2013 sports seats in the front and three jaunty-looking ones in the back.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/figure>\n

There\u2019s more than enough space to fill it with five adults. Although let’s face it, we’re all just big kids driving this thing.<\/p>\n

The F-Pace SVR\u2019s \u2018InControl Pro\u2019 infotainment system is excellent, too. If you despise the clunkiness that comes naturally to everything other than the most expensive smartphones, you\u2019ll be pleasantly surprised by the responsiveness of the Jaguar\u2019s 10.2-inch touchscreen.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/figure>\n

SVR owners may not care for practicality, but SUVs are partly judged on their available boot space. There\u2019s 650 litres of it, expanding to 1,740 litres with the seats folded away. That\u2019s more than a Range Rover Sport, by the way.<\/p>\n

As for safety, it scored the full five stars in Euro NCAP crash tests. Nuff said.<\/p>\n

The ferocious power does come at a cost, however – the F-Pace SVR is \u00a374,835 and it guzzles fuel. 23.7 miles is all you\u2019ll get per gallon. And that\u2019s the laboratory figure, which I could only achieve by driving it like it was made from tracing paper. And if you\u2019re going to do that in a car like this, you may as well buy a diesel hybrid. Or a pogo stick.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/figure>\n

However, if you\u2019re the sort of person who can afford a 75-grand growling, snarling beast-of-the-highway, then you probably won\u2019t care.<\/p>\n

Some companies offer environmentally conscious drivers the opportunity to take part in a carbon exchange programme where you can plant trees to make up for the pollution you\u2019ll create.<\/p>\n

I haven\u2019t asked Jaguar if it\u2019s offering one. But, at 272g\/km of CO2, the Amazon rainforest will be expanding again in no time if the automaker plans to go down that well-intentioned route.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fast Facts<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n