New F‑Pace SVR is faster than ever

There is in fact more going on here than meets the eye. Jaguar says a switch to the brand’s latest electrical architecture, as already used by the XF and new Land Rover Defender among others, has allowed a wholesale updating of a myriad different details.

Taken together the “thousands of changes” are said to take the F-Pace SVR to “the next level”. Given it was already a four-and-a-half-star car, it’s clear what Jaguar thinks the next level is.

So what’s new? There’s a new electric brake booster to improve brake pedal feel. The electric power steering has been made more responsive and communicative. Throttle response has been sharpened up. The adaptive dampers have been retuned and the suspension stiffened. The torque converter is now from the Jaguar XE Project 8, allowing the Dynamic drive mode to be uprated and include a new launch function.

It’s all a bit difficult to get excited about – unless you are behind the wheel. There, Jaguar says its high-performance SUV is more comfortable and relaxing to drive at everyday speeds while sacrificing none of its dynamic ability.

Power from the supercharged 5.0-litre V8 is the same 550PS (408kW) as before but there’s a 20Nm torque boost (peak is now 700Nm) and this, with the recalibrated eight-speed automatic transmission, has shaved three-tenths off the 0-62mph time: that is now 4.0 seconds. The top speed gets a small boost too: the F-Pace SVR will now hit 178mph.

For fresh showroom appeal you have to look inside where the new electrical architecture has allowed a host of much-needed changes on the connectivity front. As with all the latest JLR models, the answer is Pivi Pro, the dual-sim infotainment system accessed through an 11.4-inch HD curved glass touchscreen.

The F-Pace SVR is now always connected, gets its new software in over-the-air updates, and comes with active noise cancellation and (optional) wireless phone charging. All of which promises a revolution in the F-Pace’s user-friendliness.

There’s been a materials revamp inside as well, with new Alcantara inserts and aluminium-patterned finishers, a new SVR split-rim steering wheel with zinc-alloy shift paddles and a new drive selector. Options include open-pore carbon-fibre trims and slimline semi-aniline leather sports seats.

Outside it’s far from a major facelift but you should still spot this new version: look for the updated lights, new “blade” trims around the air inlets and smart new mesh finish for the grilles. The mesh is same as that used for the XE Project 8, further reinforcing the link with SVO’s sportiest offering. Subtle tweaks to the airflow and engine and brake cooling have resulted in 35 per cent less lift at the front end at speed, which you would think can only be a good thing, and a cut in the Cd from 0.37 to 036.

Is it all enough to keep the F-Pace SVR hot in an increasingly scorching high performance SUV market? We suspect the answer to that will only come after a test drive. The new SVR model is available to order now, priced from £77,595.