Because the car I’m driving is the limited Jaguar F-PACE SVR 575 Ultimate Edition, the final Jaguar V8 before the brand moves towards an entirely electric line-up in 2025.
British car-maker Jaguar is a brand synonymous with understated luxury and when it comes to the car I’m talking about today, that description rings true. Although as I put my foot to the floor in preparation to take this car for a blast around the wide-open country lanes of Robertson, New South Wales, I quickly find out that when you put your foot to the floor, there is nothing understated about that roar.
And to make sure this final V8 model goes out with a bang, Jaguar designers have created the most powerful F-PACE ever.
The journey with the Jaguar F-PACE SVR 575 Ultimate Edition
I start my morning off at Ben Huon Manor in Robertson, which is just about equidistant between Sydney and Canberra. The mock-Norman stately home has echoes of Bridgerton or Downton Abbey, and the F-PACE looks perfectly at home in this opulent setting.
Anyone who visits Ben Huon Manor will tell you that it’s easy to make yourself at home or, on a beautiful day, get lost in the stunning gardens which look like something out of an English country estate but on this occasion, we have to get going early. I hop into the F-PACE and step on the pedal - and there goes that fabulous growl.
So what makes this the most powerful F-PACE ever? Well, this 5.0-litre petrol-engine F-PACE SVR 575 Ultimate Edition produces 423 kilowatts of power and 700 Newton meters of torque. Or rather, 575 horsepower if you’re from Jaguar’s home country of England, hence the naming convention.
423 kilowatts is an increase on the 405 kilowatts of power we’ve seen in F-PACEs built between 2021 and 2024.
The car also goes from 0-100 kilometres per hour in just four seconds and has a reported top-speed rating of 286 kilometres per hour, so as Jaguar loyalists would expect, this car produces some pretty dazzling performance numbers, with a precise, smooth throttle response.
I put this to the test on the winding roads of Robertson and through to Bowral, the largest town in the Southern Highlands, and a favourite for those looking to get out of the city for a few days without having to drive for hours - it’s under 120 kilometres from Sydney CBD through the picturesque towns of Picton and Mittagong.
In Bowral, I stop for a leisurely coffee and a spot of people-watching - all while enjoying catching people stop and stare at the bright yellow Jaguar that positively glows in its parking spot.
The exterior design of this model is a perfect expression of its performance credentials.
Despite being a medium-sized SUV, a body type that you don’t necessarily associate with being lithe and light, Ian Callum’s finished produce is a design that looks athletic and sleek, reflecting the energy of the car and the Jaguar legacy.
I’ve touched upon some of the unique features that separate this limited-edition model from other F-PACE iterations before it but there are some welcome familiarities between this and its predecessors. After all, as the saying goes, if it ain’t broke - don’t fix it..!
One unmistakable feature of the F-PACE is that long bonnet, which nudges right down to the grille.
Then you’ve got Jaguar’s distinctive LED headlights and tail lights, and that oh-so-subtle signature J-blade daytime running light.
At the back, you get a real sense of this handsome model’s sporty credentials, with a spoiler upon a spoiler, and four large chrome exhaust tips.
Then there’s the colour. My test model comes in fabulous Sorrento yellow- after all, if you want a car that stands out then you may as well go for a colour that will turn heads. But if you prefer your performance cars to come in a slightly more subtle palette, then you can opt for British Racing green which I know many long-time jaguar fans will appreciate. Icy white and a satin Ligurian black are also available.
And regardless of which colour you opt for, the Ultimate Edition comes with the black Exterior Pack included, meaning design highlights are enhanced in sleek piano-black.
Also unique to the Ultimate Edition are 22-inch forged diamond turned with black contrast and grey insert alloy wheels, unique Ultimate Edition fender badging, a bespoke car cover, privacy glass, gloss-black roof rails, a sliding panoramic roof, and, in keeping with Jaguar’s reputation for pared-back refinement, elegant leather and suede upholstery inside the car.
Aesthetics aside, big bonnet vents, side fender vents and the rear spoiler reduce drag for better handling when you’re driving, and of course thanks to the active exhaust system at the back, you’ll hear that distinctive roar that tells other road users that the Jaguar F-PACE SVR 575 Ultimate Edition is fired up, and ready to go.
And on that note, so am I - ready for my next destination.
Interior Design and Technology
Stepping inside the car, you can expect the same high-quality finish. The leather performance seats can be heated or cooled accordingly, and come with a 14-way adjustment system so that both driver and passenger can be as comfortable as possible.
The panoramic sunroof naturally fills the already-airy car with more natural light, and once you’ve customised the cabin to the exact spec you want, it's time to start playing with the latest tech.
The Ultimate Edition comes with an 11.4-inch infotainment screen which supports wireless Apple Carplay or Android Auto. There’s also a wireless charging deck and Amazon Alexa integration so you can make easy adjustments to your car through voice control without having to divert your attention from the road.
A built-in Head-Up display and 3D camera technology are also safety aids, both designed to give you peace of mind whilst driving.
Standard safety technology in this edition includes Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist, Collision Monitors, Parking Assist, Rear Traffic Monitor and Blind Spot Alert to name but a few. The car also comes with a push-button start and keyless entry.
And that technology extends into the entertainment quality in the car too: ambient lighting allows you to transform the atmosphere of the cabin to whatever suits your mood, while a premium sound system and subwoofer call out for your favourite playlist or podcast - perfect when you’ve got a long drive ahead.
I decide to take the scenic route back to Sydney, going via Budderoo National Park which naturally involves a fair few twists and turns, but eventually leading back to the highway that takes me through the built-up areas of Wollongong, Sydney CBD and eventually Parramatta, where I picked up my F-PACE from one of the Jaguar dealerships in Sydney - and where I reluctantly have to hand the keys back over.
Obviously the super-charged V8 engine shines brightest when the F-PACE can stretch its legs on the open roads but the expert team at Jaguar have worked hard to develop a car that promises peak driving performance without compromising every-day usability. Throttle response is precise and smooth, while enhanced control means the car adapts quickly to different driving conditions,
As a result, this medium-sized SUV is equally as comfortable on the highway as it is in more typical settings - the daily commute or crawling around the suburbs.
Long-standing Jaguar owners will often attest to the British car-maker’s high level of customer service, and this is best evidenced in Jaguar’s five-year unlimited kilometre warranty, which comes with five years of roadside assistance across all new vehicles.
When you’ve got a car like the Jaguar F-PACE SVR 575 Ultimate Edition at your fingertips, it really helps when you can take it for a spin somewhere as fabulous as the Southern Highlands, in all its elegant charm.
The SVR 575 Ultimate Edition is the pinnacle of the F-PACE range, which includes the 90th Anniversary Edition P250 Petrol Engine and the P400e Plug-In Hybrid Model.
With the entire Jaguar range set to become all-electric in 2026, mark a moment in history by owning one of only 60 F-PACE SVR 575 Ultimate Edition Models that will be made available exclusively in Australia.
Whether you’re after a performance car that suits the everyday or after an everyday car with a bit of pizzazz that makes the daily commute that bit more exciting, the F-PACE SVR 575 Ultimate Edition is a dynamic, timeless and characterful car from a marque that will never go out of style.
In Australia, the Jaguar F-PACE SVR 575 Ultimate Edition is available from April 2025. Learn more about Jaguar F-PACE Keep an eye on Drive.com.au for further updates or visit your nearest Jaguar showroom.
