542bhp Jaguar F-Pace SVR squares up to Porsche Macan Turbo

Mike Cross, Jaguar’s chief engineer for vehicle integrity, is also at pains to point out that the F-Pace SVR has not been built for straight-line performance alone. He said: “It delivers the handling and agility to match its performance. Everything from the steering to the bespoke suspension set-up has been tuned specifically.”

A key component of the car’s dynamic performance is Jaguar’s rear Electronic Active Differential (EAD). The SVR model is the first F-Pace to use this system. It was initially developed for the F-Type and plays a central role on the SVR version of that car, helping to maximise torque to each wheel with the car’s all-wheel drive system. It has been tuned specifically for the F-Pace SVR, as has the adaptive suspension, electronic power-assisted steering set-up and the available driving modes, the most aggressive of which is called Dynamic and initiates faster gearshifts, sharper throttle responses and more alert steering behaviour.

Jaguar also says it has fitted springs that are 30% stiffer than the standard F-Pace’s at the front and 10% stiffer at the rear. Combined with a new anti-roll bar, they contribute to a 5% reduction in body roll.

However, SVO dynamics manager David Pook said the F-Pace SVR is not an overly firm car with an uncomfortable ride and offers greatly different characteristics between its driving modes.

“You don’t need to make a car uncomfortable for the sake of it,” he said. “It can be really engaging when you want it to be. You’ll be surprised on a B-road just how agile and responsive it is.”

The 21in and 22in wheel options – forged to a new, lighter design – are 25mm wider at the rear than the front, contributing to the car’s handling characteristics. Jaguar has revealed that the 22in wheels are 2.4kg lighter on the front and 1.7kg lighter on the rear than standard.

Both new wheel designs were created to deliver greater airflow to the larger 395mm front and 396mm rear brake discs. Again, the two-piece discs were constructed to a new design to be lighter and thereby enhance the F-Pace SVR’s handling, although Jaguar has not revealed the scale of the weight savings.

Continuing the theme of saving weight, the F-Pace SVR features an exhaust that is 6.6kg lighter than the standard car’s, as well as allowing increased gas flow to reduce back pressure and extract more performance from the car. The system also features Jaguar’s so-called Variable Valve Active Exhaust, which generates enhanced sound as more focused driving modes are selected.

Aerodynamic enhancements include larger air intakes at the front and side of the front bumper. These lower pressure in the wheel arches, reducing lift and providing extra cooling while optimising high-speed stability. The bonnet is also resculpted and features vents to extract hot air from the engine bay.

At the rear, the remodelled bumper houses quadruple tailpipes and incorporates side strakes that aid aerodynamic performance by smoothing airflow away from the rear of the vehicle. The F-Pace SVR also has a distinctive rear spoiler to reduce lift and drag and aid high-speed stability.

Inside, the car is differentiated from standard models by lightweight front seats, which provide enhanced lateral support and feature an embossed SVR logo, and the addition of an SVR-branded steering wheel that has aluminium paddle shifters fitted behind it. Buyers can select four bespoke SVR interior colours, ranging from red to pale grey. The rear seats, meanwhile, are also heavily sculpted to hold occupants in place. Interior space and boot capacity remain unchanged.

Prices for the F-Pace SVR start from £74,835 and the order books open today (28 March), with first deliveries due in July. The Macan Turbo Performance Package costs from £69,505, the GLC 63 S from £66,905 and the Stelvio Quadrifoglio from an estimated £67,000.

The arrival of the F-Pace SVR crowns the F-Pace range and underlines how quickly Jaguar has become a serious player in the burgeoning SUV market, despite only launching one in 2016. Last year, Jaguar sold 76,350 F-Paces globally, more than 50% higher than the total number of Jaguars it sold in 2011. The model also accounted for 42% of all Jaguar sales in 2017 and scooped the World Car of the Year and World Car Design of the Year awards, which are regarded as having a knock-on influence on opinions of the whole Jaguar range.

Intriguingly, Jaguar has described the F-Pace SVR as “the fastest and most powerful F-Pace yet”, suggesting that even quicker versions – perhaps in the vein of the Project 7 F-Type and Project 8 XE – could be possible.

To that end, Pook said: “You can always do more as an engineer. You’re always learning, doing more and getting better. It’s the natural way we move.”