World beater: Jaguar takes on the Porsche Macan Turbo with F-Pace SVR

Jaguar’s first entry into the SUV market has been a major hit with critics and car buyers alike since arriving on the scene in 2016. Praised for its sharp looks and luxurious interior, the F-Pace quickly became a key competitor for arguably the best mid-size crossover on the market - the Porsche Macan.

But for the F-Pace to truly rival the Porsche SUV, Jaguar needed to produce a performance version to take on the supercar-rivalling Macan Turbo.

Now the British carmaker has its answer – the new F-Pace SVR, which it is unveiling at the New York Motor Show.

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Developed by the company’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) team, the F-Pace SVR gets a sportier look than the standard model. The front bumper incorporates large air vents derived from the company’s F-Type sports car, while the rear end features thin air ducts that should keep the brakes cool when lapping a racing circuit.

There’s also a quad-exhaust system surrounded by carbon fibre bodywork in the rear bumper, which is attached to a small diffuser. Other changes over the base model include lightweight 21in wheels, with 22in versions available for an additional fee.

The F-Pace SVR is equally sporty inside, featuring leather-lined seats that are embossed with the SVR logo. Even the rear seats have a bucket-like design, adding to the car’s performance-focused appeal while also improving passenger comfort.

But the show-stopping feature of the SVR is the 5.0-litre supercharged engine tucked underneath the long bonnet. The motor is the same as that of the F-Type SVR and the limited-edition Project 8 saloon, boasting a power output of 542bhp and 502lb-ft of torque.

Power is directed to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox, which has been fettled by SVO to improve shift times. Launching from 0-62mph takes just 4.1 seconds, making it 0.7 seconds faster than the Macan Turbo, and it has a top speed of 176mph.

There’s also a torque vectoring system, which automatically modulates the power between each wheel for maximum cornering grip, as well as a torque distribution system that allows drivers to manually control how much power is sent to the front and rear axle.

If that all sounds tempting, you can place an order for the F-Pace SVR when sales begin in September. Prices start from £74,835, making it around £10,000 more than the Macan.