By Mauricio Lezcano / carsntravel.com / Photos Jaguar Land Rover North America
For 2017 Jaguar introduces the F-TYPE SVR, an even more extreme version of the already popular sports car and its first to wear the high-performance SVR badge. Developed to exploit the lightweight aluminum sports car’s full potential while retaining its inherent tractability and day-to-day usability, the Jaguar F-TYPE SVR sprints to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds and joins an elite club of cars capable of accelerating to 200 mph.
Aerodynamics
Tasked with solving the often conflicting requirements of reducing drag and reducing lift, the SVO team designed a full suite of features which work together to improve dynamics, stability, performance and efficiency; To cut drag, the front bumper was extended outward to mask as much of the wheels as possible. This helps the airflow to remain attached to the sides of the car, reducing drag.
The front valance and front under tray also contribute to drag reduction, but do much more to improve engine cooling as well. The louver design of the new hood vents uses the flow of air over the hood to help extract more hot air from the engine compartment, managing engine temperatures under load.
An under-floor tray beneath the rear suspension accelerates the airflow, reducing pressure and therefore reducing lift. Aerodynamics is further enhanced by the rear venturi. Integrating this feature was only possible because of the design of the lightweight Inconel titanium exhaust system; using two individual rear silencers instead of a single transverse silencer enabled the venturi to be neatly packaged between them.
The single most effective device developed for the F-TYPE SVR is its deployable rear spoiler; the highly optimized design is both more effective and more aerodynamically-efficient in both raised and lowered positions. With the car in normal mode, the spoiler deploys once vehicle speed reaches 70 mph, the spoiler will also deploy automatically whenever the driver selects Dynamic mode. In this raised position, the spoiler, together with the other aerodynamic enhancements, enable a reduction in the drag and lift coefficients of the F-TYPE SVR by 2.5 percent and 15 percent respectively compared to the F-TYPE R with its spoiler deployed. When the spoiler on the F-TYPE SVR is in the lowered position, the corresponding improvements are 7.5 percent and 45 percent.
Interior
A bespoke interior features exquisite detailing and the latest Jaguar infotainment system which support wearable technology make the F-TYPE SVR even more desirable.
The cabin gains cosseting 14-way SVR performance seats finished in Jet leather with a distinctive Lozenge Quilt pattern, contrast stitching and micro-piping and headrests embossed with the SVR logo. Customers also have the option of Siena Tan or Red leather upholstery.
The SVR Jet leather and optional Jet leather and suede-cloth steering wheels feature black painted spoke outers and contrast stitching in a range of four colors. The unique anodized aluminum shift paddles are larger than those in other F-TYPE models to make changing gear even more instinctive.
As well as the familiar Jaguar InControl Apps smartphone connectivity5 and Jaguar InControl Protect emergency and breakdown call system, the F-TYPE SVR also offers the latest Jaguar InControl Remote functionality, which for the ultimate in convenience now supports wearable technology.
Partnering the InControl Remote app for iOS smartphones, is a companion app developed for the Apple Watch. Using this device, drivers can lock and unlock the doors, check key information such as fuel level or mileage, and locate the car on a map. InControl Remote even enables the driver to start the engine and set the climate control system temperature to pre-condition the cabin before the start of a journey. Nothing could be simpler.
Performance
The F-TYPE SVR features the latest evolution of the Jaguar Land Rover 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine, delivering the ultimate in performance and driver reward. Changes to the engine’s calibration adopted from the F-TYPE Project 7 deliver power and torque ratings of 575HP and 516-lb.ft. of torque.
A new lightweight Inconel titanium exhaust system has been fitted as standard which withstands higher peak temperatures, reduces backpressure and eliminates 35-lbs of mass from the vehicle. In addition to titanium’s inherent lightness over stainless steel, the exhaust system in the SVR features a unique split muffler design opposed to a single box in the F-TYPE R which further reduces weight and facilitates the design of the rear under-tray for enhanced aerodynamic performance.
The new exhaust system also delivers an even more distinctive, purposeful, harder-edged exhaust note, especially once the active valves in the rear silencers open, this happens at lower engine speeds to enhance the vehicle’ performance character even further. For additional light-weighting, the valves themselves are also made from titanium. The four round tailpipes are distinguished by discreet SVR branding.
To make the most of the increased engine output, the eight-speed ZF Quick-shift transmission has been recalibrated to reduce shift times and increase torque availability during launch. Together with the extra grip delivered by the wider, 265 and 305 section front and rear tires, and optimization of the torque on-demand all-wheel drive system’s Intelligent Driveline Dynamics control technology, the F-TYPE SVR is able to deliver outstanding launch behavior and immediacy of response, with sprints to 60 mph from a standing start in just 3.5 seconds.
Summary
The F-TYPE R is already widely recognized in the sports car segment and represented the starting point for development of the more extreme F-TYPE SVR. Everything which contributes to the vehicle’s performance and handling dynamics has been meticulously re-evaluated, re-engineered and optimized by SVO, adding an even higher performance version of the F-TYPE.
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price starts at $128,800.00, the one I drove included the Carbon Fiber Center Console ($750.00), Illuminated Treadplates ($450.00), Wheel Lock LP Frame ($138.00) and Extended Leather Package ($1,100.00), and it came in at $132,233.00 including destination & delivery charges ($995.00). The EPA fuel economy estimates 15 MPG City and 23 MPG Highway.
mlezcano@carsntravel.com
