The Art of Design Issue 20 2016 | Page 111

gave the SVO team the best possible starting point for developing the SVR’s vehicle dynamics. That the vehicle is 25kg lighter as standard than the AWD F-TYPE R – and 50kg lighter with options including the Carbon Ceramic Matrix brake system and carbon fibre roof – brings immediate benefits in terms of handling. Optimised aerodynamics produce further gains: the rear wing delivers reductions in lift whether in the raised or lowered position. These fundamental improvements are matched by a raft of other hardware and software changes designed to extract the full potential from every part of the chassis. The rear anti-roll bar is thicker. The valves inside the continuously-variable dampers have been revised and the control software – the heart of Jaguar’s Adaptive Dynamics system – has been recalibrated. The overall effect is that both low speed comfort and high speed control are improved. The rear knuckle is completely new. Now an intricate, weight-optimised aluminium die casting, the design of the part enables a 37 per cent increase in camber stiffness and a 41 per cent increase in toe stiffness, which translates into greater control of the tyre contact patch and an even more connected steering feel. The front anti-roll bar diameter has been reduced slightly. Together with the revised damper control software, a unique tune for the Torque Vectoring system which enables even more precise control of the braking applied to the inner wheels, the changes mitigate understeer – even at high corner entry speeds. Fitted as standard with Jaguar’s Super Performance braking system featuring large, 380mm and 376mm front and rear brake discs, the F-TYPE SVR can be specified with Jaguar’s Carbon Ceramic Matrix (CCM) braking system. Featuring even larger 398mm and 380mm discs and six- and four-piston monobloc calipers, this system delivers exceptional braking performance with outstanding fade resistance. The brake prefill system ensures consistent pedal feel, stop after stop. The wider, specially-developed 265/35/ZR20 and 305/30/ZR20 tyres provide exceptional levels of grip with no detriment to ride quality or refinement. The range of 9J and 11J forged aluminium wheels deliver savings of up to 13.8kg per vehicle – another weight reduction which beat the development target – and the open spoke design also improves brake cooling. Exclusive to the F-TYPE SVR, the range comprises Coriolis wheels in Satin Technical Grey or Gloss Black, and – for models fitted with the CCM braking system – Maelstrom wheels with a Satin Black polished finish. The F-TYPE’s EPAS system already sets the benchmark for feel and response – especially off-centre. Further tuning of the control software delivers even better feedback and, combined with the stiffer rear knuckle assembly, the new wheels and tyres and the revised damper settings, means that the F-TYPE SVR steers with even greater immediacy and precision. AERODYNAMICS Reducing drag and lift contributes to the enhanced dynamics and performance and subtly enhances the F-TYPE’s award-winning design. The effort made in developing the chassis was matched by the work done on the F-TYPE SVR’s aerodynamics. Asked to solve the often conflicting requirements of reducing drag and reducing lift, the SVO team designed a full suite of features which work together to improve dynamics, stability, performance and efficiency.