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7 years ago

The DESIGN Issue

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  • Jaguar
  • Formula
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  • Rover
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GROUP TEST SEE (AND

GROUP TEST SEE (AND FEEL) THE DIFFERENCE Left: The XE’s AWD is fully variable but 90% RWD in normal conditions. Below: XF offers AWD across many variants. Right: The sporty view from the XE’s great driving seat conditions. But there’s an exception to Jaguar’s IDD system rivals simply can’t match: it detects when you’re about to lose traction when driving, and pre-emptively prepares to divert more traction forwards, which is helpful on fast switchback roads. It also cuts the 0-60mph time on most models, and makes accelerating onto a busy road safer because all four tyres share the load. The latest addition to Jaguar’s range, the F-PACE represents new territory for the company. But it’s built around the same aluminium building blocks and AWD system as XE and XF models, and Jaguar’s essence shines through in both the striking design and the drive. Despite having a commanding view of the road ahead, you sit relatively low in the cockpit, gripping a steering wheel that’s small and wieldy. The front tyres flick into corners with sports car-like precision, the steering is highly responsive and beautifully weighted, and all the while the suspension balances handling finesse with supple comfort. Room in the back is great and the class-leading boot space huge, flexible and highly accessible from its large rear tailgate. AWD is available on four- and six-cylinder engine variants of the F-PACE and standard on our model. Once again, the RWD feeling remains, but accelerate through a long, sweeping bend and the power shifts seamlessly forwards, helping the F-PACE swoosh through corners with consummate ease. It’s a fast, safe and incredibly satisfying way to travel across these challenging Welsh roads. The F-PACE offers off-road capability too but it’s important to highlight that AWD is not a term that’s fully interchangeable with four-wheel drive (4WD). 4WD is typically reserved for very serious off-roaders, splits power evenly between all four wheels, and offers very low gear ratios that are driver-selectable. AWD is refined and sophisticated, actively shuffling power from front-to-rear in milliseconds, its adaptability better suited to the higher speeds road cars tackle. Still, the F-PACE’s raised ground clearance, AWD and Adaptive Surface Response – which automatically tailors the powertrain to conditions – combine to give more than enough capability in most situations. To test that theory, we edge onto an off-road track, feel the tyres squish into the soft, marshy surface, then quickly find purchase. There are deep ruts and small fallen rocks from the crumbling hilltop above, but the F-PACE takes it all in its stride, stoically negotiating terrain that would flummox most cars. Parked up at the top of our trail feeling like intrepid explorers, we glance out at an amazing road that stretches into the distance like a shoelace dropped over the topography. A road that looks made for Jaguar’s most sporting car: the F-TYPE. The F-TYPE R Coupé V8 is a supercharged two-seater with 550PS. Even in RWD spec, this is seriously quick, but AWD lets the R Coupé scorch from 0-60mph in just 3.9 seconds. Despite this car’s staggering performance, you quickly find a rhythm. The driving position is low-slung and poised, and every response – the engine and gearbox, the steering, our car’s carbon-ceramic brakes – is instant. And the noise from the R’s quad exhaust pipes is heaven, all silky purrs at low revs and thunderous crackles and pops under power. It all creates a sense of connection between car and driver that’s only heightened as AWD claws into the surface, maximising grip whether you’re accelerating from a standstill, or scything over a deserted road. The AWD F-TYPE R seems the ultimate way to experience these epic roads. Yet Jaguar has just gone one better to create the stunning new AWD F-TYPE SVR, its fastest, most powerful version yet. Over the page, we drive it… 62 j THE DESIGN ISSUE

ONCE AGAIN, THE RWD FEELING REMAINS, BUT ACCELERATE THROUGH A LONG, SWEEPING BEND AND THE POWER SHIFTS SEAMLESSLY FORWARDS, HELPING THE F-PACE SWOOSH THROUGH CORNERS WITH CONSUMMATE EASE THE DESIGN ISSUE j 63

 

JAGUAR MAGAZINE

 

Jaguar Magazine celebrates creativity in all its forms, with exclusive features that inspire sensory excitement, from beautiful design to cutting-edge technology.

In this issue, we explore the art of creativity from the Brazilian masters who devised the graceful art of Capoeira, to the Irish artists mixing new culture with old. You will also discover the creative line that links Victorian wallpaper to the iPhone. While the multi-talented actor and performer, Riz Ahmed, explains why it is the right time to reveal his true self to the world.

© JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED 2020

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The fuel consumption figures provided are as a result of official manufacturer's tests in accordance with EU legislation.
A vehicle's actual fuel consumption may differ from that achieved in such tests and these figures are for comparative purposes only.