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Jaguar F-Type SVR set to go topless

Jaguar's sultry F-Type convertible will soon be getting sharper claws. We've captured the high-powered SVR variant during track testing, and these spy shots show huge air intakes and a prominent splitter up front. They're balanced at the rear with a massive spoiler and a central diffuser that breaks up the angled, jutting exhaust pipes. The cloth top is also evident, and it's presence has been expected. Previously, we spied the hardtop variant. This prototype looks ready for production, with the bodywork screwed down and the head- and taillights peering out. Even the black wheels with thin spokes wouldn't look out of place on the street. We also see the cross-drilled carbon-ceramic brakes. These massive stoppers will be required to slow down the 5.0-liter supercharged V8, which could make 600 horsepower. That blows by the 550-hp F-Type R and the limited production F-Type Project 7 (575 hp). The Project 7 can hit 60 miles per hour in 3.8 seconds, and we'd expect the SVR model to eclipse that figure. The F-Type SVR and its convertible sibling are part of Jaguar's strategy to remain to true to its sporting heritage – the company counts seven Le Mans victories – while adding vehicles like the F-Pace crossover and XE sedan to adapt to modern consumer preferences. Related Video:

Jaguar Land Rover may build factory in Saudi Arabia

The Middle East is one of the fastest-growing markets for Land Rover, so it makes sense that the automaker is looking to set up shop in the region. According to Automotive News, Jaguar Land Rover is in talks with the people of Saudi Arabia to build a factory in the country at an expected initial cost of $1.2 billion. Still in the early stage of talks, the proposed facility could start up by 2017 using locally sourced materials such as steel and aluminum.
Such an arrangement could be beneficial for both entities as Saudi Arabia looks to diversify its oil-reliant economy and Land Rover could get local production capacity of around 50,000 units. The report also says that the agreement talks about the possibility for Jaguar models to be built at the same plant further down the road.
This won't be the first vehicle produced in Saudi Arabia - that honor goes to the KSU Gazal-1 - but it will be the first from a major global automaker.

Jaguar to offer high-performance SVR models like Land Rover?

At the Goodwood Festival of Speed this past weekend, Land Rover previewed its upcoming performance version of the Range Rover Sport. Only instead of wearing the R-S badge that adorns the most hardcore of Jaguar models, the performance SUV from JLR's Special Operations unit introduced the letters SVR. And now, it seems that badge is here to stay.
Following the Range Rover Sport SVR, a new report from Motor Authority now says that Jaguar Land Rover will use those letters to distinguish the top-of-the-line performance models from both marques moving forward. As such, we might expect SVR models of the upcoming Jaguar XE compact sedan and Land Rover Discovery Sport, as well as potential new performance models based on the new F-Type and next-generation XF.
If accurate, the move would seem to separate Jaguar in particular from the R-S badge that has adorned performance models like the XFR-S and XKR-S. Both Audi and Porsche use the letters RS to distinguish its most hardcore models as well (e.g. Audi RS7 Sportback and Porsche 911 GT3 RS). Whether the similarity was a factor in shifting to the SVR moniker, we don't know, but either way, we welcome the arrival of a new generation of Jaguar and Land Rover performance models - especially if they pack the 575-horsepower version of the company's ubiquitous 5.0-liter supercharged V8. Not incidentally, that delicious powerplant gained a couple of new engine bays to call home at Goodwood as well - it's not just found in the forthcoming Range Rover Sport SVR, it's found a home in the F-Type Project 7, too.