Speedy F-Pace SVR is a noisy cat

ROAD TEST/ Jaguar’s off-road dragster can kick up a storm, then go quietly, writes Phuti Mpyane

Jaguar has a long history of building low-slung, hearttrembling cars such as the E-Type, XK-RS and the more recent F-Type V8s, but the company is a relative latecomer to the SUV craze.

And with the F-Pace SVR, it’s also later than most in the highriding dragster contest. Does the large cat continue that pedigree in the modern age?

The basic recipe isn’t different from that which Alfa Romeo, BMW, Mercedes-AMG, Audi and

Porsche used to respectively cook up the Stelvio Q, X3/X4M Competition, GLC 63 S, RSQ5 and Macan Turbo, and it’s just as outrageous looking.

It has functional rather than faux air scoops in the bonnet, a wide grille punctuated by slim, squinty headlights, and four bigbore tailpipes that emit the most vulgar noises.

Elegant, you might even describe its shape, which is neither conventionally upright like the X3 nor swoopy like the X4. There’s a throbbing 405kW and 680Nm 5.0l supercharged V8 up front that’s mated to a sharpshifting eight-speed auto ’box.

You can tailor the attitude of the hardware and it has an eco mode that moderates throttle inputs, mutes the exhaust, softens the dampers and institutes earlier up-changes to save fuel. Using Herculean self-restraint when driving, it averaged 14.7l/100km during its stay.

To begin with the act of violence, thumb in Dynamic mode and tap the gear lever leftwards for sporty sequential manual mode. In a straight line, the SVR is claimed to hit the 100km/h mark from standstill in 4.3 seconds and it’s rated with a 283km/h top speed.

It does not object to being hustled fast into regular corners as it’s equipped with uprated springs, dampers that firm up, strong brakes, as well as an electronic differential to help with cornering.

It doesn’t wallow much and the all-wheel traction tidies up much of the unavoidable consequences of its weight and the driver taking liberties.

It’s only when you point its angry nose at a racetrack, a place where most owners will hardly visit, where it feels more like an SUV. Under these plainly unusual circumstances it understeers prominently midcorner and the shortcomings of being equipped with a reasonably direct but lightly served steering ratio for ease of daily use turn bothersome.

The tiller didn’t firm up as much as I’d have liked in sports mode, but it’s a sensational road performer and owners can use its humongous power reserves

The most powerful feline in Jaguar’s litter looks the part with its black 22-inch wheels. Right: The optional electric tailgate helps with groceries and luggage loading. The piercing bark emanating from those four bazookas needs to be heard to be believed.

The interior is more aristocrat, with a touch of boy racer thanks to shiny pedals and carbon fibre trim.