Jaguar outs pricing for F-Pace SVR SUV

JAGUAR has announced local pricing for its recently-revealed F-Pace SVR high-performance SUV, with the 5.0-litre supercharged V8 set to hit Australian showrooms at the end of the year priced from $140,020 plus on-road costs.

The F-Pace SVR will command a $35,193 premium over the current range-topping F-Pace S, which employs a 280kW/460Nm 3.0-litre supercharged V6.

Its price means it undercuts its main rival, the $164,900 Mercedes-AMG GLC63 S, which packs a 375kW/700Nm 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 under the bonnet.

Other rivals include the 290kW/550Nm Porsche Macan Turbo ($133,500), the 316kW/580Nm Maserati Levante S ($169,990) and the monster Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk ($152,900), which at 522kW/868Nm, is the most powerful SUV on sale in Australia.

As for the F-Pace SVR, its forced-induction 5.0-litre bent-eight produces a formidable 404kW/680Nm, the same output as the Range Rover Sport SVR, which shares the same engine.

However, it is not the most potent engine tune in Jaguar’s line-up – that honour belongs to the F-Type SVR sportscar, which uses the same supercharged V8 tuned to 423kW/700Nm.

Jaguar Australia product public affairs manager James Scrimshaw told GoAuto that the British brand had experienced a sharp increase in website traffic, brochure requests and test drive requests since the car was revealed at the New York motor show, and that the SVR is expected to do “very well” in Australia.

Mr Scrimshaw confirmed that JLR Australia was not limited to a particular allocation of the SVR for Australia.

Power is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, allowing for a zero to 100km/h time of 4.3 seconds, on to a top speed of 283km/h.

The SVR can be visually distinguished from the rest of the range by a number of enhancements including larger air intakes at the front and side fender vents, unique wheelarch extensions, lower body mouldings, SVR bonnet vents, rear diffuser and quad exhaust tips.

Stiffer springs and a new anti-roll bar help sharpen handling and reduce bodyroll, while 21-inch and optional 22-inch rims enhance the SVR’s sporty character.

Stopping power is boosted by the inclusion of uprated 395mm front/396mm rear two-piece vented discs, with four- and one-pot callipers, respectively.

The SVR is the first Jaguar SUV to have an electronic active differential mounted to the rear axle, while the driving modes, electric assisted power steering and adaptive suspension have all been tweaked specifically for the vehicle.

Inside, the SVR scores slimline performance front seats with signature quilting and SVR logos, as well as a 10.0-inch Touch Pro infotainment system and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

Through the first three months of 2018, Jaguar has recorded 209 sales of the F-Pace, down 51.2 per cent over the same period last year.

It currently trails the segment leaders such as the BMW X3 (1498), Mercedes-Benz GLC (1209) and the Audi Q5 (1173).