Rumored to be in the works ever since Jaguar launched the F-Pace in 2016, the SVR version finally made its debut at the 2018 New York Auto Show. The company's first ever high-performance SUV, the F-Pace SVR comes to challenge the Mercedes-AMG GLC63 S and the upcoming BMW X3 M.

Already a sexy SUV, the F-Pace just became hotter in SVR clothes. The front fascia is nearly as menacing as the F-Type, having received massive vents in the bumper. The side intakes send a lot more air into the engine and to the breaks, while the center vent is significantly larger too. Below, a splitter adds aggressiveness and helps the revised outlets to reduce front end lift. The grille is different too, now sporting a revised, pitch black mesh with a dark surround (instead of body-colored on the standard model). Upgrades continue with a unique hood fitted with vents that extract hot air from the engine compartment.

The profile is obviously familiar, but the black wheelarch inserts, the black window trim, and the vertical vent on the front fender give the SUV a sportier look. The package is rounded off by lightweight multi-spoke rims wrapped in high-performance tires. The rear end is by far the most impressive angle of this SUV, largely thanks to the amazingly tall side vents that stretch from under the taillights to the bottom section of the bumper. A new diffuser-like element incorporates a quad-exhaust pipe layout that's flanked by subtle vertical fins. Now, this is a fine example of how performance SUV rear ends should look!

The customization continues inside with lightweight sports seats wrapped in quilted leather, as per British tradition. The rear seats are sportier too, a rear feat for SUVs, and even feature fixed headrests. The rotary shifter design in the regular F-Pace is gone, replaced by the pistol-shaped selector from the F-Type sports car. Other highlights include carbon-fiber trim and blue accents. Yes, we've seen this configuration before in other SVR models, but I must admit that its suits the F-Pace's cabin quite nicely.

Moving over to the greasy bits, the F-Pace SVR gets its juice from the already traditional supercharged, 5.0-liter V-8 engine. The mill cranks out a whopping 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque and pushes the SUV from 0 to 60 mph in a scant 4.1 seconds. Top speed is rated at 176 mph, which make it one of the fastest SUVs ever built. The beefed-up engine is backed by an electronic rear differential, a variable active exhaust, stiffer springs, bespoke tuning for the adaptive suspension, electric steering, eight-speed automatic, all-wheel drive, and Dynamic Driving Mode.

Pricing starts at $80,985, a $21,000 premium over the range-topping F-Pace S AWD model.

References

Read our full review on the 2017 Jaguar F-Pace.

Read our full speculative review on the 2019 Jaguar F-Type SVR.

Read more Jaguar news.

Read more New York Auto Show news.