A high-performance Jaguar F-Pace is in development. The British automaker’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) division is looking to hunt down the BMW X5 M and Mercedes-AMG SUVs with a high-powered F-Pace and supercharged V8 engine churning over 500 horsepower. According to Car and Driver, Jaguar already has prototypes testing in the real world and the high-performance F-Pace could head to market as soon as 2017.
That’s not all, as SVO is also testing the supercharged V8 engine under the hood of the Jaguar XE sedan, giving the British automaker a competitor to the popular BMW M3, Cadillac ATS-V and Mercedes-AMG C63 models. There is no final decision yet on a high-performance Jaguar XE offering, as the brand would contradict its own strategy for electrification with a high-powered V8.
There is no denying the demand for high-performance sedans in the luxury space and considering how attractive the Jaguar F-Type SVR is, the F-Pace model should be good looking.
The all-new 2017 Jaguar F-Pace has been revealed in full and will be initially priced from $43,385 when it arrives next spring.
At its launch, the 2017 Jaguar F-Pace will be available with V6 gas engines, but pricing will drop to $41,995 when the British automaker introduces a four-cylinder diesel to the lineup later in 2016. The 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engine sporting 340 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque will be paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The same engine can also be had with more power, making 380 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque while the 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine will provide 180 hp and 318 lb-ft of torque.
The diesel model will go zero to 60 miles per hour in 8.2 seconds and has a top speed of 129 mph, while the 340-hp V6 model does the zero-to-60 sprint in 5.4 seconds and has a top speed of 155 mph. Opting for 380 hp will get you a zero-to-60 time of 5.1 seconds.
As a five-seater SUV, the Jaguar F-Pace has a cargo volume of 33.5 cubic feet and its loadspace is 49.4 inches wide. The rear seats can be split 40:20:40 for through-loading and when folded flat, the luggage compartment is expanded to 61.4 cubic feet. It rides on a long 113-inch wheelbase, making entry and exit to and from the rear seats easy.
Similar to the F-Type AWD model, the F-Pace features a torque-on-demand all-wheel-drive system. Boosting handling and ride comfort for Jaguar’s first SUV is a double-wishbone and Integral Link suspension, while optimized aerodynamics help deliver low drag and high-speed stability.
In-car technology for the F-Pace is centered around an optional Jaguar InControl Touch Pro infotainment system with a 10.2-inch capacitive touchscreen and a virtual 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster with full-navigation display that is supplemented by a laser head-up display. InControl Wi-Fi is also available to host up to eight devices in the vehicle. The introduction of the F-Pace marks the world debut of Jaguar’s Activity Key, an optional waterproof, wearable access device that allows the actual keys to be securely locked inside the vehicle while drivers are doing outdoor activities.
“We designed the all-new F-Pace to be first and foremost a Jaguar. That’s why it has exciting proportions, a dynamic stance, pure surfaces and a beautiful sensuality about it. Its progressive, purposeful appearance has clearly been influenced by the F-Type,” said Ian Callum, director of design for Jaguar. “Every Jaguar car should draw your eye from 200 meters away and I believe the presence of the all-new F-Pace on the road is second to none in this class. The Lightweight Aluminum Architecture gave us the design freedom to create a car with latent poise – a svelte car with attitude,” said Callum. “It looks assertive yet not aggressive. But it’s also versatile and equipped with real-world answers to everyday questions. The all-new F-Pace is an all-weather Jaguar sports car, life-proofed for five people and their belongings.”
