The Jaguar F-Pace SVR Just Rendered the Upcoming BMW X3 M Obsolete

TopSpeed

By Ciprian Florea

Published Mar 30, 2018

And trumps the remaining competition

Do you remember how long it's been since BMW enthusiasts have been asking for an M version of the X3? Me neither. Yes, it's been that long. Heck, the X3 nameplate goes back to 2003, and I'm pretty sure that demand for an M model began to gain traction as soon as BMW launched the X5 M in 2010. So that's at least eight years. Well, BMW finally confirmed that an X3 M will happen within the current generation, but I'm starting to think that BMW should give up on that idea. And the reason for that is called the Jaguar F-Pace SVR.

The British firm just unveiled the SVR-prepped crossover at the 2018 New York Motor Show, and it's a screamer. I'm not talking about the design. Sure, the exterior gained several updates that turn the F-Pace into a more aggressive machine, but it's the drivetrain that adds the madness to the mix. The F-Pace SVR gets its juice from Jaguar Land Rover's already familiar 5.0-liter V-8, and the supercharged mill gets the same specs as in the F-Type R. That's a whopping 542 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. That's almost as much as the bigger BMW X5 M and significantly more than the upcoming X3 M will get. BMW's upcoming compact crossover is practically obsolete before it's even launched. The same goes for the Audi SQ5.

Now that's how you make an entry!

What's more, the F-Pace also trumps the existing Mercedes-AMG GLC63. The "base" model cranks out 469 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, far from what the Jag is capable of. The range-topping GLC63 S isn't doing better either, with "only" 503 horses and 516 pound-feet at its disposal. The Porsche Macan Turbo is yet another victim on the SVR's list. While there's no S model yet, Porsche does offer a Performance Package for the Macan Turbo. But the upgrade doesn't do much to help the German crossover in this battle, is output doesn't go past the 440-horsepower mark.

The only department where the F-Pace SVR doesn't obliterate all competition is 0 to 60 mph sprints. The "Cat" hits the benchmark in 4.1 seconds. That's a tenth-second quicker than the Macan Turbo with the Performance Package, but three tenths slower than the Mercedes-AMG GLC63 S, which gets there in 3.8 clicks. But, the F-Pace is the fastest of them all with a top speed of 176 mph. The Macan comes close with 169 mph, but the GLC63 is far behind with 155 mph.

Three years ago, Jaguar didn't even have a crossover in showrooms. Come 2018, and it offers the best performing model in one of the most popular segments. Quite the achievement!