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7 years ago

The DESIGN Issue

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  • Jaguar
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FIRST DRIVE

FIRST DRIVE The ultimate F-TYPE WE DRIVE THE FIRST EVER JAGUAR TO WEAR THE HALLOWED SVR BADGE The F-TYPE SVR is the fastest, most powerful series production Jaguar ever built, the ultimate expression of Jaguar’s all-wheeldrive (AWD) technology. Sitting low in its bespoke sports seats, you can’t help but notice the SVR’s interior difference with its Jet Black leather unique Lozenge Quilt pattern and contrast stitching, and the tactile suedecloth that wraps over the instrument binnacle and centre console. Press the start button and the 575PS V8 erupts through a titanium and Inconel exhaust; it’s an incredible 16kg lighter than a standard system and sounds like thunder in a bottle. Before you even pull away, the SVR raises your heart rate. It’s all the work of Special Vehicle Operations, Jaguar Land Rover’s in-house division tasked with taking the best one step further. Using the F-TYPE R as its starting point, SVO has made the F-TYPE SVR faster, lighter, more engaging to drive and even more visually dramatic. The result is an all-weather supercar that swivels heads at a standstill, accelerates from 0-60mph in just 3.5 seconds and runs all the way to 200mph for the coupé (195mph for the convertible). Distinctive design touches include a new front bumper with engorged air inlets, eye-catching bonnet vents, a revised carbon fibre rear spoiler and unique designs for the 20-inch forged alloy wheels. Nothing is superfluous: the enlarged air inlets enhance cooling; the deployable spoiler combines with a racecar-style flat underfloor and rear venting to boost aerodynamic performance; and the new alloys are 13.8kg lighter and wrapped in bespoke tyres some 10mm wider than the F-TYPE R, boosting grip and response. Under the skin, the supercharged V8 engine gains 25PS, the continuously variable suspension is firmer to heighten control, and the eightspeed automatic gearbox is more incisive still. Crucially, the AWD’s system’s Intelligent Driveline Dynamics (IDD) software has been re-engineered to deliver an even more dynamic experience. Pull the Quickshift transmission selector to Drive, set off down the road and you notice how the SVR’s suspension now marries supple F-TYPE compliance with greater control; the feel through the SVR steering wheel, too, is noticeably firmer, providing extra connection to the road surface. Pick up the pace, point the SVR through some corners, and you sense the extra definition from the wider tyres; the sportscar seems glued to its line and confidence quickly builds. Accelerate and the SVR hunkers down, its tyres delivering the huge hit of performance to the road, the push in your back recalling rear-wheel drive, the rapidly gathering speed betraying all-wheel-drive magic. As you come out of corners, you can feel the V8’s extra urgency; a pull on the bespoke aluminium paddleshift fires home instantaneous upshifts, and should elicit a wide grin from the driver as the V8 crackles and fizzes its harder-edged soundtrack. There’s no doubting that the 64 j THE DESIGN ISSUE

DEVIL IN THE DETAIL The F-TYPE SVR has key exterior identifiers like the revised carbon fibre rear spoiler, special 20-inch forged alloys and that all-important SVR badge SVR is the most focused F-TYPE yet, but that focus doesn’t come at the expense of usability. Exhaust valves reduce volume at a cruise, the 14-way electric seats pamper and cosset, and the InControl touchscreen infotainment system is compatible with wearable technology like the Apple Watch. And whatever the conditions, however you drive, AWD is always watching your back. Jaguar calls it ‘the art of performance’. We couldn’t agree more. THE RESULT IS AN ALL-WEATHER SUPERCAR THAT SWIVELS HEADS AT A STANDSTILL, ACCELERATES FROM 0-60MPH IN JUST 3.5 SECONDS AND RUNS ALL THE WAY TO 195MPH THE DESIGN ISSUE j 65

 

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.