Jaguar I-Pace SVR ‘A Question of When, Not If’
Jaguar Land Rover’s in-house performance division ‘SVO’ is responsible for some of the most extreme models to come from the manufacturer. Some of their most notable models are the F-Pace SVR and the Range Rover Sport SVR, but it seems that they’ve recently shifted some of their focus to volume-selling models and have set their sights on the new electric I-Pace as their next project.
Although there is no official timeline or development schedule, Michael van der Sande, boss of SVO, says that the I-Pace SVR is a question of when, not if. This is due to the fact that a performance version of the I-Pace already exists as the I-Pace eTrophy race car in the electric Formula E, which is built and developed by SVO. “Those cars all come from our base in Oxford Road,” said van der Sande, “and they’ve taught us a lot. By the time you fit the roll-cage and race kit, they’re only slightly lighter than standard. “But the battery’s duty cycle is very different in racing. We’ve already learned plenty about battery management, heat management and software development that could be useful for road cars. When the call comes, we’ll be ready.”
Although the eTrophy is a race car, there isn’t a significant difference in power compared to the road-going I-Pace. The majority of its changes are chassis orientated. The I-Pace SVR would most likely receive a significant power boost over the current 295kW of power, which will get it from 0-100km/h faster than the I-Pace’s current 4.8-seconds. In addition to boosted power, the I-Pace SVR would also likely feature sportier styling and chassis modifications, making it more competitive against Tesla’s performance models.
The future of the I-Pace SVR depends on how well the high-spec I-Pace model sells right now. Over 9000 models were sold globally by mid-2019, so it will all come down to how it performs for the rest of the year.
FAQ
Q: What is the Jaguar I-Pace SVR and when will it be released?
The I-Pace SVR is a high-performance version of Jaguar's electric SUV that's currently in development by their SVO division. While there's no official release date, SVO boss Michael van der Sande says it's "a question of when, not if", meaning it will definitely happen but timing depends on current I-Pace sales performance.
Q: How much power will the Jaguar I-Pace SVR have?
The I-Pace SVR will likely produce significantly more than the standard I-Pace's 295kW, though exact figures haven't been confirmed. The performance boost should drop the 0-100kph time well below the current 4.8 seconds, making it competitive with Tesla's performance models.
Q: What does the Jaguar I-Pace currently cost in South Africa?
The standard Jaguar I-Pace starts from around R1,900,000 in South Africa, so expect the SVR version to command a significant premium of at least R300,000 to R500,000 more when it arrives.
Q: How does the I-Pace SVR relate to the I-Pace eTrophy race car?
The I-Pace eTrophy race car serves as the development platform for the SVR, with SVO using racing experience to learn about battery management, heat management and software development. The race car is only slightly lighter than standard and has similar power output, with chassis modifications being the main difference.
Should You Buy It?
Hold your horses, because the I-Pace SVR doesn't actually exist yet. If you're after an electric performance SUV right now, the standard I-Pace at around R1,900,000 is still a solid choice, but it's not exactly a track weapon. For proper electric performance, you're better off waiting for the SVR or considering alternatives like the BMW iX M60 at around R2,200,000. The I-Pace SVR will likely cost north of R2,400,000 when it eventually arrives, making it a pricey proposition even by luxury electric SUV standards. Our verdict: wait and see what SVO delivers, because if their track record with the F-Pace SVR is anything to go by, it'll be worth the wait.
