We meet the 2019 Jaguar F-Pace SVR with excitement. Jaguar reserves the SVR name for its highest-performing vehicles, so it's an appropriate moniker for the hot-rodded F-Pace variant debuting at the 2018 New York Auto Show. This super SUV's bragging rights include a top speed of 176 mph, a sharp sense of style, and no obvious sacrifices to utility.
Like the first letter of its name, the F-Pace SVR uses a drivetrain that's similar to what you'll find in the F-Type SVR. It consists of a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 with 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque that's connected to an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. Leveraging that power and traction, Jaguar says, nets the F-Pace SVR 0-60 mph acceleration in 4.1 seconds.
The F-Pace dons enormous brake rotors (15.5-inch front and 15.5-inch rear) that hide behind equally massive wheels. Whether you choose 21-inch or 22-inch diameter rolling stock, their forged construction makes them lighter than traditional cast aluminum wheels. Jaguar says the F-Pace's staggered fitment — the rear wheels are almost an inch wider than the fronts — helps improve the handling.
Also assisting with overall agility is a standard electronically controlled limited-slip differential that ensures enjoyable traction during cornering. The F-Pace also features increased spring rates — 30 percent in the front and 10 percent in the rear — which should sharpen overall reflexes at the likely expense of ride quality.
The enlarged openings and additional vents on the exterior work to move air around and through the F-Pace's cooling system. According to Jaguar, the new bumpers and spoiler improve lift, drag and high-speed stability — an important thing at 176 mph. The enlarged wheel arches and additional lower bodywork help visually lower the F-Pace to the ground. And those four exhaust pipes? Jaguar says not only do they voice the V8 proudly, but the system they're attached to actually weighs slightly less compared to the base F-Pace's setup.
The interior features thin bucket-style seats with large side bolsters to help keep you in place through corners; the SVR embroidery on the headrests just looks cool. The SVR steering wheel houses aluminum shift paddles, and a traditional lever-style shifter borrowed from the F-Type replaces the F-Pace's usual rotary gear selector. Happily, the hot-rod overhaul hasn't hurt cargo space, which remains at a class-leading 33.5 cubic feet. No word yet on whether towing capability has changed.
With a starting price of $80,985 (destination included), the F-Pace SVR slots neatly into a growing number of high-performance SUVs. It offers power bragging rights over a Porsche Macan Turbo or a Dodge Durango SRT, but doesn't cost quite as much as a Jeep Cherokee Trackhawk or a BMW X5 M. That should make this F-Pace quite attractive when it goes on sale summer 2018.