Bad news, those wanting a new F-Type R but who can't quite stretch to the SVR better get their orders in soon: Jaguar ?R? models facing the axe | Auto Express

 

The V8S was the best model anyhow.

 

When they're all done, they'll just be left with the Turbo 4-banger and Turbo V8 BMW anyway. They need to charge SVR prices on all the V-8s to afford that BMW engine.(yes...mere conjecture)

 

Hope this means my R will hold better value

 

hmmmm, where does that leave people who want a V8 but dont necessarily want the body kit on the SVR?

 

It leaves them moving on to the next marque. Jag's lack of large displacement engine production may cause the early demise of this model.

 

Essentially: "We're not selling enough SVRs because people don't see the value compared to the R. So we'll stop selling the R and force those that want a V8 to spend an extra 20-50K to buy the SVR variant that they otherwise would not buy."

Marketing by denial and/or limiting of choice... hmmm.

Might work, but might not work big time.

 

Eh I think everyone is missing the mark here. The reason the V8 models get hammered in the market is because the V6 is so good. No one is paying $110k+ for these things. They tried to play 911 fighter and lost, as everyone tends to. I absolutely love my R, but the features, fit and finish and frankly, the overall performance are not in the $110k car territory. It's a super niche car. People buy them for the theater, the relative rarity, and not to be like everyone else. Car MFGs like everyone else. Everyone else buy a lot of cars.

BMW has sold like 70k F8Xs...you don't get there by having 5 standard engine variants and 16 model variants, a $60k+ price delta.

 

Jaguar's entire engine lineup is going to change soon anyway. JLR isn't likely renewing their engine contract with Ford, so the V6s and V8s are going away. I'm hoping for a strong Ingenium I6 to replace the V6 - maybe 450hp, and then the SVR option.

BMW's engines are getting around - they will supposedly be used in the next joint BMW-Toyota sports car and possibly the next Jag. This makes sense as automakers rather spend their R&D money on electrification, but my personal feelings are that BMWs engines are not all that durable/reliable. I'd rather see Jag work something out with Ford personally... why not a supercharged Ford Voodoo V8 (the flat-plane version) built at Bridgend?

 

By the time you spec the SVR with carbon ceramics and leather pack etc to lift the low rent interior its a $140k car.

If they want the SVR to "shine" and compete at that price point they have to step it up in terms of fit / finish / infotainment / quality of interior materials etc. The ambient lighting for example is not acceptable for a $140k car.

Look at the interior of an AMG GT - that's what they need to duplicate to justify the price point.

The F Type quality and features are fine at V6 price points, barely acceptable at R price points and not acceptable at SVR price points. All IMHO of course....

 

I agree, SVR is not a good value.

 

I am just glad that I had a chance to "own" and drive a V8 R for a few years before yet another manufacturer decides that we should all own 4 cylinder cars...or battery driven. My wife's 6 cylinder Volvo R-Design is the last of its kind and my 6 cylinder Cayman was the last of its kind. Seems like I give the model the kiss of death.
Larry

 

You forgot the Ingenium I6 Turbo 400 and 500 hp

 

How about the upcoming I6, PHEV and EV versions?.... Either the SVR needed to have a bigger HP gap or the R had to go 25hp was a joke. The I6 with 500hp will take the place of the R. The PHEV will fall just below that.

 

Buying used obviously. I might be able to be "talked out of mine" for around $90K in 3 years

 

I agree on many of your points but you & others may be missing the larger aspect here. Jag may well be doing this BECAUSE of the $140K SVR price point. They may ... finally be realizing that the SVR should really be a $110-$120K car and by eliminating the R & moving over to the BMW v8 engine, they may also be able to now keep the price point at the more realistic level of "under $125K for their version of the supercar. Win-Win that is IF they are smart enough to price the new SVR in that range and market it correctly.

PS - This is 1000% pure speculation on my part but it is also a viable approach to increasing sales on a desirable vehicle.

 

Meanwhile US is rolling back regulations on cars:
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/29/c...-rollback.html

 

Manufacturers rarely re position their products at lower price points and associated market brand perception levels - unless they have totally misjudged the market and can't shift product.

They are probably predicting that R buyers will simply pony up the extra $$ for an SVR now as they have enough money for the SVR but don't want to spend it as they have a cheaper V8 option that is basically almost identical.

They probably want to also keep the car in the $140k range to keep it in the same bracket as 911's etc from a marketing and image perspective.