Five things we like about the Jaguar F-PACE SVR

If there’s one thing that grabs you, above all else, about the Jaguar F-PACE SVR, it’s the muscle-packed mid-size SUV’s sound.

The muted bass notes of the quad exhausts are complemented by subtle treble tones and an echoing back-off blast to round-out the overall aural experience – and give some clue to the beast that’s lying within.

Was it worthwhile for the company to spend the money on a 3.8kg lighter, louder, variable-valve active stainless-steel exhaust? In the case of this $140,000 super-SUV, definitely.

Really, what would you expect of a supercharged, 5.0-litre V8 and its effect on even a two-tonne SUV?

405kW and 680Nm go a long way in the case of the F-PACE SVR and there’s always the lurking question that Jaguar might be a little conservative in its performance claims. Zero to 100km/h is said to come up in 4.3sec and the standing 400 metres are reported to be dispatched in 12.3sec.

But by the brutish feel, you suspect these figures just might understate the case.

Jaguar’s SVR workshop left hardly anything untouched upgrading the F-PACE to this level. The result is a weighty SUV that feels anything but.

The sharpened-up electric steering and the flatter-riding suspension, complete with adaptive Bilstein dampers, are done justice to by the optional, lighter, 22-inch forged alloy wheels with their tenacious, staggered (265/40 front, 295/35 rear) Pirelli P Zero tyres.

The F-PACE SVR rides well, is remarkably wieldy and wonderfully capable.

The Jaguar F-PACE takes on a way more aggressive style in SVR form, but in a carefully-restrained Jaguar way [Ed: space, pace and grace, anyone?].

Functional air-gulping vents are to be seen on the bonnet, and in the fascia below the slimline LED headlights, while extra air slots behind the front wheel arches aid in sucking away heat generated by the Brembo-calliper, oversize front disc brakes.

It’s a looker with the performance to match!

Even a luxurious, sporting SUV is well-served if it’s also practical.

Apart from the extra care that might be taken to protect the indulgent, leather-clad interior from the sharp edges and encrustations of lifestyle appurtenances such as skis, snow boards and electric scooters, the F-PACE SVR isn’t about to disappoint.

In a luxury SUV that tends to be bigger than its rivals there’s space and support aplenty for front and rear passengers and the 650-litre boot (expanding to 1731 litres if you drop the three-way split-fold rear seat) is just the place to pack away for a weekend adventure.