Jaguar Teases the 200 Mile Per Hour F-Type SVR Track Animal

Source: Jaguar

Feeling that its 550-horsepower, supercharged V8 F-Type R wasn’t cutting the Grey Poupon like it should, Jaguar just released a teaser of something more ominous and orange for track fanatics. Aptly named the 2017 Jaguar F-Type SVR, this insane serving of high-class whoop-ass is slated to make its global debut at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show on March 1 and will later go on sale sometime during the summer of 2016 for a yet to be disclosed sum.

Jaguar claims that the SVR will be capable of accelerating to 200 miles per hour, and since this track-tuned F-Type will be the first of its kind to bare the SVR badge (Special Vehicle Operations), it reportedly has been redeveloped in order to exploit every ounce of potential the chassis carries with it. Having said that, let’s not forget that this is a British automaker that still is commonly referred to as a “luxury specialist,” so don’t expect to find a bare bones interior or the absence of a navi.

While in attendance at a press conference, Jaguar told us point blank that it has a pretty aggressive offensive strategy in place for 2016. Its cars may not be in everyone’s budget, but JLR is doing all it can to make the most of its position in America’s increasingly competitive automotive market, and here is why its plan of attack might just pay off in spades: Many of you may have noticed that as of late Jaguar has been throwing marketing dollars around like crumpets at a stag party, and while this is important for attracting attention, it’s what is going on behind the scenes that interests us.

After receiving over $650 million in funding for its U.K. assembly plant from its India-based parent company Tata Motors, Jaguar genuinely appears to be on the upswing in relation to quality, reliability, and enjoyability as it continues to build upon a plan to offer buyers more than just a comfy set of seats and a big V8 engine. Jaguar’s unique aluminum-intensive architecture is making its way onto more models, thus making its offerings stiffer, swifter, and safer too.

Now as for the testosterone-stimulating F-Type SVR, well, let’s just say that the British automaker has something a little more “extreme” in store for those who dare to walk on the wild side.

Source: Jaguar via YouTube

Designed to be lighter, faster, and more powerful than even the F-Type R, the new SVR will attempt a triple attack upon traditional notions of “performance, dynamics, and driver involvement,” all in the hopes of raising the bar to a new level.

“The new F-Type SVR is the first series production Jaguar car to be developed by Special Vehicle Operations and benefits from everything we know about precision engineering, performance and design,” says John Edwards, managing director for Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations. “The result is a 200 mph, all-weather supercar that you can drive every day — we even made a Convertible version so that enthusiasts can revel in the sound from the new titanium exhaust system.”

Source: Jaguar via YouTube

By backpedaling to the Range Rover Sport SVR that rocked our socks off, we can safely assume that a few key characteristics will likely be implemented in this extra evil rendition of the already aggressive roadster. All of that restyled aero you saw in the video on the previous page is completely purpose-built, so don’t expect anything less than carbon fiber or at least FRP composites. It’s also safe to say that the F-Type’s adaptive suspension will likely get a fresh set of springs with stiffer rates while its dampers get recalibrated for tighter handling, and a fatter set of sway bars make their way underneath to reduce body roll.

That aforementioned titanium exhaust will likely get a silencer button like what we found on the RR SVR in order for owners to remain on good terms with any decibel-sensitive neighbors and for quieter highway cruising. Since the F-Type R already puts down a sizable 550-horsepower head count, the SVR builds on that with 575, all mated to an available manual gearbox in true Jaguar fashion for those of us who prefer to not lose touch with the clutch.

Destined to join forces with the rest of its 2017 model year F-Type Coupe and Convertible brethren, the new SVR will surely be one of the most talked about cars at Geneva when full details on it get released on February 17.

The 2017 Porsche 718 Boxster Steps Out on Its Own

Source: Porsche

Last month, Porsche outlined some big changes for the Boxster and Cayman – namely that they’re losing their naturally-aspirated flat-sixes and being combined under the 718 designation for 2017. But this shouldn’t be a cause for panic, because as we said in December:

… don’t mourn the loss of the Cayman and Boxster just yet. Even with the smaller turbocharged mill, which is expected to be somewhere between 2.0 and 2.5 liters in size, it could end up putting out around 395 horsepower in top trim. With the current flat-six, the most power you’re gonna get is 375 horses. The company says that from here on out, the ‘718 Boxster and 718 Cayman are showing more similarities – both visual and technical.’ Roof aside, if you couldn’t tell the cars apart now, with their marginally different rear haunches and interiors, you’re going to have a much harder time come 2017.

Aside from a teaser sketch, we didn’t know what the cars would look like then. Now we do, and we like what we’re seeing. While photos of the 718 Cayman are still M.I.A., the company has given us a look at the new 718 Boxster and Boxster S, and after decades in the shadow of the 911, the cars finally look like the standalone models they deserve to be.

Source: Porsche

Compared to the outgoing models, the new cars are wider, with a front end that seems to borrow more from the 918 hypercar than ape the 911, something earlier cars were notorious for. Porsche has done a good job making sure the side profile stays clean and unadorned, and from the rear, new LED taillights and blackout expanse emphasize the car’s wide, aggressive haunches. When you get passed by one on a canyon road, you’ll know exactly what it is.

Perhaps most importantly, we now have details about that turbo-four that’s stepping in to replace the iconic flat-six. The base 718 will have a 2.0 liter mill, good for an even 300 horsepower, while the S will have a 2.5 mounted amidships, good for 350 horsepower. There’s still plenty of room above the two cars, so we wouldn’t be surprised if Porsche ends up making good on that 395 horsepower estimate too.

Source: Porsche

Porsche is already taking orders for the 718 Boxster (above) now, and will arrive at U.S. dealerships in June. The base-model car will start at $56,000 plus a $1,050 destination charge, though with Porsche’s notorious a la carte options system, we don’t expect many to leave the showroom for less than $60k. It’s about a $4,000 price leap over the ’16 model, but while the current car makes 265 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque, the new car’s retuned suspension, new electric-assist steering system, plus that healthy 35 horse and 43 pound-feet boost should make it worth the while. Zero to 60 happens in 4.5 seconds – 0.7 seconds faster than the current car.

For the S (below), you’ll be paying a $12,400 premium for the bigger engine and the faster car. That extra 0.5 liter and 50 horsepower comes with 309 pound-feet of torque. Zero to 60 comes in four seconds even, and top speed is 177 miles per hour. A six-speed manual transmission comes standard, but in order to hit the numbers Porsche is quoting, you’ll have to opt for the PDK dual-clutch auto and the Sport Chrono package, sending you well above the S’s $68,400 base price.

Source: Porsche

Other than the windshield, hood, trunk, and convertible top, the 718 is all new, and it looks it. With the current Boxster and Cayman, Porsche has made huge strides in creating a separate identity for its mid-engined offerings, moving it farther away from its legendary rear-engined offerings. Nearly two decades after the first Boxster hit the streets, the 718 cars finally look to be dream-worthy on their own, not consolation prizes for people who can’t afford the 911. As long-time Boxster/Cayman fans, we say it’s about damn time.