Whereas bigger, wealthier, better-resourced rivals such as BMW M, Audi Sport and Mercedes-AMG can afford to create performance versions of everything you probably think they should (as well as some they probably shouldn’t), Jaguar has to pick its battles wisely.
Jaguar F-Pace SVR revealed with sports car pace
Which is why there’s an Jaguar F-Pace SVR but no Jaguar XE SVR or Jaguar XF SVR: the business cases for the two saloons simply don’t add up. The standard cars themselves are struggling in all but China, and there isn't the volumes or demand for performance versions, nor the resources to develop them, however much of a shame that may be.
The F-Pace, meanwhile, continues to lead Jaguar’s comeback, and a performance version can only add to the car's kudos and credibility. It’s no underestimation to say that without the F-Pace, Jaguar would be looking over its shoulder rather than to a more prosperous, SUV-shaped future.
And now the F-Pace is solely flying the flag for the fast, five-seat Jaguars, too.
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Jaguar F-Pace review
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What about...
...the XE SVO Project 8? SV Operations 'tinkering' with the XE well before the F-PACE received their attention.
Don't need an XE SVR, Jaguar
Don't need an XE SVR, Jaguar needs a XE PHEV to make it attractive to BIK paying fleet users, as that is the market this car is in.
Underwhelming saloons
Jaguar lets its saloons wither at its peril - especially when the anti SUV backlash arrives. Full refreshes are needed sooner rather than later - maybe base XE and XF replacements on the longer wheelbase Chinese versions to sort out the space issues, more effort needed on the cabins and while I think the XE is a lovely looking, well proportioned car, the XF isn't a patch on the previous version, let alone the fabulous CXF concept from 2007. Just weirdly similar to an old Honda Accord. I think Callum has detoxified Jaguar styling as far as the old pipe and slippers image is concerned so now he needs to apply the same sparkle to the saloons that you can see in the F Pace and I Pace. Throw out conservatism and let's have coupe, convertible, SVR, hybrid, electric, whatever versions...