Jaguar Is Already Considering An 'I-Pace SVR' Electric SUV

Jaguar is considering its options for an SVR-badged I-Pace electric SUV… and outright speed isn’t a priority.

Chief of product planning, Hanno Kirner, has told Autocar that handling would be more of a priority, with the existing 50:50 weight distribution key to the car’s dynamic prowess. We still say it’s a folly, but global customers seem to think otherwise.

Noise, traditionally the biggest USP attached to SVR cars, is a problem with an EV. But, and here’s the really controversial bit, any production version of the I-Pace SVR won’t even be as fast as it could be – to protect the untrained people who’d take the wheel. Kirner is quoted as saying:

“We have asked ourselves how you would ‘SVR’ an electric car. Yes, we can make it do 0-60mph in 1.8sec. It’s a good headline, but once you’ve done it once or twice, and lost your eyes in the back of their sockets, you might not want to do it again.”

“You also have to make sure you can’t go too fast,” he said. “I do worry that the instant torque and performance might be too much for untrained drivers. It may be that we have to impose some kind of restriction, so that the performance is limited until they have gone on a driving course or something.”

While this isn’t confirmed for production, it seems a likely angle for Jaguar as it seeks to monetise SVR at every turn. It’s also the likeliest route for the company to take alongside the one-make I-Pace eTrophy racing series that is scheduled for a green light later this year.

A ‘restricted’ 0-62mph time of around 3.5 seconds seems like the kind of ceiling Jaguar might apply, but top speed will be pretty low until gears can be introduced to the equation.

Source: Autocar