Late But Truly Great

JLR’s Special Vehicle Operations’ answer to the Mercedes-AMG GLC63 and upcoming BMW X3 M arrives … a little later than advertised

- Matt Saunders

Price: R1 517 828 Engine: 5,0-litre, V8, s/c petrol Transmission: 8-speed automatic Power: 405 kW @ 6 000-6 500 r/min Torque: 680 N.m @ 2 500-5 500 r/min0-100 km/h: 4,3 seconds* Top speed: 283 km/h Fuel consumption: 11,9 L/100 km CO 2 : 272 g/km Rivals: Mercedes-AMG GLC63; Porsche Macan Turbo + confidence-inspiring to drive on-paper performance stats place it behind rivals

An unspecified component supply problem” is the bone offered up to the historical record explaining the delay of the third SVR-branded performance car from Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations division: the Jaguar F-Pace SVR.

This hot SUV was just weeks from its international launch to the press in July last year when, as a result of a batch of components delivered for production which apparently weren’t as Jaguar ordered them, the decision was taken to cancel the launch and delay the car until the problem was fixed.

That’s the official reason, at any rate: a component supply issue that took nine months to resolve. Hmm. Not sure we’re getting the whole truth there. And it just so happens that SVO has had a new boss, at least one cancelled project and the ripples and repercussions of JLR’s declining corporate fortunes with which to contend during the intervening period between the SVR’s original scheduled introduction and now, should you feel inclined towards pondering potential explanations.

For what it’s worth, though, I don’t buy the popular theory new broom Michael van der Sande could have sent this car back for significant overhaul as one of his first orders of business. A nine-month delay might seem like a long one but in the car industry it’s about enough time to re-engineer a pair of wiper arms.