According to sources cited by Auto Express, Jaguar’s Special Vehicle Operations division is just about done with its XE SVR performance sedan which will act as a main competitor for the BMW M3 and Mercedes-AMG C63.
The car is rumoured to be undergoing benchmark testing in Northern Spain against its rivals and will be Jaguar’s first attempt at entering this particular segment and will be the third model in the Jaguar-Land Rover family to wear the SVR badge.
Powering the XE SVR will be the effective supercharged 5,0-litre V8 linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The powertrain has not yet been confirmed, although both the F-Type and Range Rover Sport make do with an all-wheel drive system.
The XE S does come fitted with an optional all-wheel drive system so it could be very likely for us to see this being used in the SVR as well.
Power figures also have not been revealed. While the F-Type SVR uses this engine to produce 423 kW, it is more likely that the sedan will be detuned to somewhere around 375 kW to match the likes of the Mercedes-AMG C63 S and the new-to-the-game Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.
The XE SVR might also be fitted with a set of carbon-ceramic disks for a punchy stopping power and will have a tweaked suspension to make it more agile. Active damping hasn’t been mentioned but an electronic limited-slip differential is on the cards.
The hyper saloon will most likely be revealed halfway through the XE’s life-cycle. A coupe variant has apparently been ruled out.