The Jaguar F-Pace is the most popular model in the British automaker's lineup. In North America, it comes with three choices of engines; in this case, we had the chance to drive the meanest of the pack, the SVR version (which stands for Special Vehicle Ratings if you're wondering), with a supercharged V8 powers. Now, the question is, how does this bigger engine impact the driving experience? All F-Paces are manufactured in Solihull, England, and the SVR's base price starts at $101,400.
When we tested the F-Pace for the first time two years ago link here, we found the exterior design to be its best attribute; it's no doubt that the vehicle still looks fresh. Even in Atacama orange, it has an understated look. The front grille is large but does not overpower the vehicle's appearance. The 22-inch wheels also look great and don't take away from the overall design. In the back, same story, there are minimal differences from this model to the one we had, which had nearly half power; the quad exhaust and the hood vents are the obvious clues that this is the high-performance model. The saying "don't fix what's not broken" definitely applies to Jaguar's design, which is undeniably on point.
Inside the cabin, much has stayed the same since we last drove the midsize SUV from the British automaker. The seats are slightly different, with the suede and leather combination. That said, the cluster, steering wheel and infotainment system are all carried over from the regular Jaguar F-Pace; it's a good thing since it has a practical and user-friendly interface. Aside from cosmetics, the SVR element in the interior is the exhaust button under the drive mode selector in the center console. Practicality is still a thing, with the visible ISOFIX ports and rear anchors in the back. In the cargo area, it is still a grocery-getter with a little more oomph to drive!
The best part of this article is the driving experience in the Jaguar F-Pace SVR. Let's start by saying: what an experience! Let's get the numbers out of the way, a 5.0L 8-cylinder supercharged engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission that delivers 542 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. The vehicle sprints to 100kph in 4.0 seconds and has a top speed of 286 kph (177 mph). If anyone's wondering, you can tow up to 2400 kg (5300 lbs), which is not bad for a performance model. When you start the car in the morning, if you remotely are a car enthusiast, you cannot be unfazed by the exhaust. The Variable Valve Active Exhaust System delivers so much in terms of sound it truly is a work of art. From a standstill in Dynamic Launch mode, the F-Pace SVR is a monster, propelling you to unlawful speeds rather quickly. The all-wheel drive keeps the vehicle in a mostly straight-line, with most of the power sent to the rear wheels; you will feel the car inching to the left as you keep your foot on the gas. In other words, the vehicle is easy to recover and fun. In corners, the handling is decent. While not perfect, it's precise, but there's a little more body roll than expected; remember that this vehicle isn't that heavy. The braking is excellent, and the suspensions are stiff since this is a performance model, but you can still drive the F-Pace comfortably.
Overall, the Jaguar F-Pace SVR is a wonderful combination of practicality. We had a great time being behind the wheel. As its name indicates, it's a special vehicle for all the right reasons. However, with stricter regulations in place, cars such as this may not be available for much longer. If you're looking for a fun and functional vehicle, this is one of the top choices.
Jaguar has lent us this vehicle for one week as a press vehicle. We have no affiliation with Jaguar, Canada. The above reflects our personal opinion of the car referred to above.
