It’s a really important Le Mans 24 Hours race this yr. Not solely is it the 100th anniversary of the first working of the world’s most well-known race, nevertheless it additionally marks the daybreak of a brand new period of a number of producer works entries on the sharpest finish of the grid. Oh, and in a single for followers of round-ish numbers, it’s 35 years since Jaguar received the race with its well-known Silk Cut-branded XJR-9.
That win has been celebrated with this special-edition mannequin of the F-Pace, the Jaguar F-Pace SVR Edition 1988. Thirty-five years isn’t the obvious anniversary to rejoice, however this automotive really got here out in 2022, having been revealed ultimately yr’s working of Le Mans… Either means, that is our first go within the mannequin that sits atop the Jaguar vary, coming in at £101,550.
That value marks a £20,000 rise over the usual Jaguar F-Pace SVR on which this particular is predicated. You’re shopping for exclusivity –simply 394 might be constructed, a nod to the variety of laps the XJR-9 accomplished within the palms of Jan Lammers, Johnny Dumfries and Autocar Lifetime Achievement Award-winning Andy Wallace – and in addition a raft of beauty upgrades moderately than dynamic ones over the very well-sorted customary mannequin.
These embody a really darkish purple (‘Midnight Amethyst Gloss’) paint end with plenty of gold detailing, together with to the upgraded 22in alloys, in a nod to that purple and gold Silk Cut livery. In duller mild, it appears black moderately than purple however catch the fitting ray of sunshine and the color pops actually properly over what stays a fine-looking SUV, trimmed right here in a really tasteful means. Badges and different-coloured trim inside are in any other case it to your close to 25% premium over an ordinary F-Pace SVR.
On that foundation, good worth it isn’t, but the automotive nonetheless reminds us of what ‘outdated’ Jaguar does very effectively certainly: creating on a regular basis efficiency vehicles that may excite as a lot as they’ll cosset, being appropriate for all roads and all events.
Let’s take that engine, a 5.0-litre V8 supercharged unit we really will now not see the likes of once more. It’s loud, it is quick, it pops, it crackles, it sends good vibrations via your palms, toes and bottom; it is good.
The eight-speed torque-converter transmission stops it having the extra savage gearshifts and acceleration of rivals outfitted with dual-clutch transmissions but the trade-off is much better drivability at low speeds and a real potential to be pushed in a extra relaxed method. It’s not an ‘at all times on’ efficiency automotive, as an alternative the type that’s prepared when you’re, like a super-sized Volkswagen Golf R.
