We were told recently that Jaguar Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations department (SVO) enjoyed a bumper year in 2019, with sales up 64 per cent. Thank the Jaguar F-Pace SVR and new Range Rover Velar Autobiography for that, as well as the perennially popular Range Rover Sport SVR. What was interesting about the news was that SVO's second model (and first sports car), the F-Type SVR, was no longer contributing to that number. SVO derives the vast majority of its sales from SUVs - and that's the way it will continue.
Be that as it may, the demise of the F-Type SVR is hardly a cause for concern; the mechanical package has pretty much been carried over into the latest F-Type R. But it does mean a chance to reassess the SVR as used prospect, given the initial £110,000 asking price has taken a fair hit after a few years on sale.
In some ways, the F-Type SVR was a new type of performance Jaguar. Chiefly that was due to the all-wheel drive system, which made it less wayward than the original F-Type R. (By that we mean it could actually get its power down to the tarmac.) 0-62mph took just 3.5 seconds, and the SVR was said to be a 200mph car in the right configuration. It was more than simply a straight-line brute, too: SVO gave the F-Type new rear suspension knuckles to allow stiffer rear wheel bearings, meaning greater toe and camber stiffness; dampers were redone from the R, new anti-roll bars deployed and weight saved through ceramic discs, an Inconel exhaust and forged wheels. The F-Type wasn't suddenly turned into an Exige, though they were all worthwhile changes; back in 2016 we said the SVR had, "depth and ability way beyond anything we've ever had in an F-Type before." So there.
Pleasingly, there were still some very familiar fast Jag aspects to the SVR as well. It still possessed a mighty V8, it still looked superb (especially in the more subtle specs, as on this car) and it still fulfilled its sports GT duties with aplomb. The SVR wasn't an especially radical approach to creating an F-Type flagship, but a nip here and a tuck there created a memorable addition to the range.
Moreover, the SVR has mimicked many a V8 Jaguar that preceded it by depreciating pretty swiftly. By virtue of appearing not all that different to an F-Type R, by not being a limited-run model and by breaching the £100,000 mark, the SVR's used values were always in for a tough fight. Bad news for the original owner; great for those hoping to pounce secondhand.
This SVR is the perfect example of that. An early model, registered in 2016, it's covered 21,000 miles and comes in a nice spec including Corris Grey paint and the optional ceramic brakes. From a £110,000 list price new (without any extras), it's now fallen to almost exactly half that: £54,950 puts you behind the driver's seat in 2020.
Which, given a new F-Type in 2.0-litre, P300 guise starts at £54,510, looks like great value. Of course, new versus used shouldn't really be the reference point - but it's hard to avoid here given how much old F-Type is in the latest one, not to mention how much more performance the SVR offers for the money. Even against similar secondhand prospects, it looks like a lot of car for (relatively) little outlay: this money will only just buy a turbocharged 911 Carrera (with 200hp less), a Nissan GT-R at the price point has more miles and while something like this Vantage N430 is nice, the performance gap is enormous.
That said, the SVR has hardly plateaued in value. There's a good way to go yet, and maintaining a 200mph Jaguar doesn't get any cheaper with the passage of time, even if the cars themselves do. Criticisms about the F-Type's kerbweight and interior linger, too. But if you're prepared to look past those areas and are immune to running costs concerns, the handsome and heroically fast F-Pace SVR makes a formidable case for itself. For as long as petrol stays cheap, at least...
SPECIFICATION | JAGUAR F-TYPE SVR COUPE
Engine: 5,000cc, supercharged V8
Transmission: 8-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Power (hp): 575@6,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 516@3,500-5,000rpm
MPG: 25.0 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 269g/km
Year registered: 2016
Recorded mileage: 21,000
Price new: £110,000
Yours for: £54,950
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