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Jaguar has just launched its much-anticipated F-Pace SVR at the New York Auto Show, and it's packing the 500hp supercharged 5.0-litre V8 engine from the F-Type.
With 680Nm of torque, the larger of Jaguar's SUVs can now sprint from 0-100km/h in just 4.3 seconds and has a top speed of 283km/h. It's very clearly a shot across the bows of Mercedes' GLC 63 AMG models, and those of the Porsche Macan Turbo.
The 44 per cent boost in power compared to the next-most powerful F-Pace (the 380 supercharged V6 version) comes courtesy of Jaguar's Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) skunkworks, the same people responsible for the 575hp F-Type SVR, and the Range Rover Sport SVR.
"The F-Pace SVR delivers the handling and agility to match its performance. Everything from the steering to the bespoke suspension set-up has been tuned specifically for our performance SUV and the result is a vehicle that lives up to the promise of both the F-Pace and SVR names" said Mike Cross, Chief Engineer, Vehicle Integrity, Jaguar Land Rover.
The styling is more aggressive than that of the standard F-Pace, with larger air intakes at the front, big vents in the front wings (they provide extra cooling for the massive engine and, apparently, better aerodynamic stability too), and there are the (inevitable) blistered wheelarches and big side body mouldings too.
The bonnet gets extra air vents, while at the back there's a spoiler up top, and a new bumper than incorporates more aero panels and space for the big four-barrel 'Active' exhaust.
On the suspension front, the springs are 30 per cent stiffer at the front, and ten per cent stiffer at the rear, and new anti-roll bars cut body roll when cornering by five per cent, says Jaguar.
You can choose from 21 or 22-inch wheels (light, forged alloy, natch), and they're a whopping 25mm wider at the rear than at the front, for that full-on dragster look. The 22-inch wheels are actually lighter than the 21s, and they help to feed air to the uprated 395mm front, 396mm rear brake discs. Those brakes have two-piece construction to help reduce unsprung weight.
The Active exhaust is 6.6kg lighter than the standard system, and allows the F-Pace SVR to have that proper, big-chested V8 sound while still passing drive-by noise regulations.
At the back, there's also the new Electronic Active Differential, or EAD. The F-Pace SVR is the first Jaguar to use it, and it's plugged into existing systems such as the Intelligent Driveline Dynamics control (which sends the engine's power from front to rear as needed).
Inside, there are slimline bucket seats with an embossed SVR logo, more sculpted rear seats than standard, the 'pistol-grip' gear selector from the F-Type, and a new steering wheel with aluminium gearshift paddles for the eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Jag says that, in spite of the performance hike, the SVR is still a practical car, with a 650-litre boot, 4G WiFi connection, and the high-spec ten-inch In Control Touch Pro infotainment screen (but not the double-decker screen from the Range Rover Velar, just yet).
Sales will start this summer, and with UK prices of STG£74,835 you can expect Irish price tags to be in the region of €140,000.