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Fancy the fastest accelerating Jaguar ever, faster even than the mighty XJ220 of the 1990s? Well, here it is and it's the 575hp, 700Nm F-Type SVR, the latest creation from Jaguar Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) squad, the same people who gave us the Range Rover Sport SVR and the F-Type Project 7.
In its simplest terms it's an F-Type V8R with the wick turned up and some clever aero, but needless to say, things are never that simple...
The engine has been recalibrated to release the extra horsepower and torque (an increase of 25hp over the standard V8R) and it has required revised cooling and a new, lightweight Inconel titanium exhaust, which actually saves around 16kg compared to the standard steel system.
The eight-speed automatic transmission is basically the same, but again recalibrated to handle the extra oomph, and power goes to all four wheels as standard - don't be disappointed; we know from four-wheel drive F-Type experience that you'll still be able to provoke it into lurid tail-slides.
The tyres are uprated too - 10mm wider than standard, and rolling on lightweight forged 20-inch wheels.
Jaguar has also tweaked its Intelligent Driveline Dynamics and the active rear differential to handle the power and there's a unique setup for the electronic stability control too. Best of all, all of the electronic nannies can be switched off for maximum track attack...
Surprisingly, Jaguar claims that the standard fuel economy and emissions figures (25mpg and 269g/km) are unaffected.
Overall, the SVR is 25kg lighter than the standard car, and you can increase that weight loss to 50kg if you go for the optional ceramic brakes and, on the Coupe, the carbon fibre roof. There's a bigger rear wing, which Jaguar says delivers real reductions in lift even in its folded setting, and that's backed up by totally altered aerodynamics, which include a massive rear diffuser and a floor made as flat and smooth as possible. Even the exhaust has been split into two sections to allow the underbody aero to be more effective.
The rear wing will also deploy automatically whenever the driver selects Dynamic mode. In this raised position, the wing, together with the other aerodynamic enhancements, enables a reduction in the SVR's drag and lift coefficients of 2.5 per cent and 15 per cent respectively compared to the F-Type R with spoiler deployed. When the SVR's wing is in the lowered position, the corresponding improvements are 7.5 per cent and 45 per cent.
Suspension-wise, there are thicker anti-roll bars and the adaptive dampers have been tweaked to give better control, thanks to lighter, stiffer components. The standard steel brakes are 380mm at the front and 376mm at the rear, but the optional ceramic brakes bring those numbers up to 396mm and 380mm.
Inside, the cabin gains cosseting 14-way SVR Performance seats finished in Jet black leather with a distinctive Lozenge Quilt pattern, contrast stitching and micro-piping and headrests embossed with the SVR logo. Customers also have the option of Siena Tan or Red leather upholstery. The SVR Jet black leather and optional Jet black leather and suedecloth steering wheels feature black painted spoke outers and contrast stitching in a range of four colours. The unique anodised aluminium shift paddles are larger than those in other F-Type models to make changing gear even more instinctive. The driver-focused theme of the 'one-plus-one' layout is enhanced with a suedecloth covering for the instrument cluster and centre console. Customers who select the optional Siena Tan or Red leather interiors benefit from full leather wrapping of the instrument panel.
It doesn't lack for tech either, getting the new inControl Touch Plus infotainment system as an option, which includes Apple CarPlay and wearable technology support, as well as a 380w Meridian sound system should you ever tyre of listening to that V8.
"The purity of the F-Types form is something truly special, but in designing the new F-Type SVR we had the opportunity to create something even more dramatic. Every additional form, line or component is there for a reason, and contributes to the car's increased performance as well as its presence" said Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar. "Cutting-edge aerodynamics have always been fundamental to Jaguar design, and everything from the enlarged air intakes to the active rear wing is essential to the new F-Type SVR's dramatic looks and 200mph potential."
"Our objective was to take everything that our customers love about F-Type - the performance, the handling, the sound, the design - and take it to a whole new level. This is what the new F-Type SVR delivers: it's a 200mph all-weather supercar" said John Edwards, Managing Director, Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations. "With 575hp, less weight, an uprated chassis and bespoke calibrations for the transmission and all-wheel drive system, performance is even more accessible and exploitable. This is a car that SVO has developed for true enthusiasts but it's one that can be enjoyed every day."