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2020 JAGUAR F-PACE SVR

MAN OH MAN, I WANT THIS

by: Jag Dhatt

Jaguar F-Pace. SUV. Luxury. And now, SUPERCHARGED V8. Man, that’s the icing on the cake. And when I found out I had the F-Pace SVR booked as my press vehicle, it was like me landing in Canada and seeing snow for the first time. Okay, that’s probably an exaggeration, but you get the idea. The F-Pace has been a top-selling vehicle in Jaguar’s line-up. It’s got great looks, a good interior for couples or a small family, good motor options, and the name and legacy associated with the Jaguar brand. So, when there needed to be an edge, in case James Bond needed to drive one, Jag’s Special Vehicle Operations team went to work to put in a monster of a motor under the hood of the F-Pace. And the result is simply wow. We’ve seen the SVR previously in the Range Rover Sport and the F-Type. The Range Rover Sport SVR has sold well, and for good reason. I mean, here’s an already great vehicle that just needed, well not really, more power. And in the words of Tim Allen, there can never be enough power.

The Looks:

Jaguar has done well in design, with the F-Pace winning World Design of the Year in 2017. Rather than mess with something that is already nice, the SVR added just some minor touches to make it more aggressive, including a unique rear spoiler, special front and rear bumpers, and active vents on the hood and front fenders. There’s also the specific SVR badging through-out and yes, quad tailpipes. Kudos to Ian Callum for not only designing the F-Pace, but for giving us the F-Type and XE as well. My press F-Pace SVR was adorned in beautiful Ultra Blue paint. My personal choice of paint would have been Spectral Racing Red or Madagascar Orange, but seriously, the Blue looks pretty good, and it’s easy to spot pretty much anywhere. I like the F-Pace from any angle, but the side profile is probably my favourite, showing off those perfect lines, and the optional 22” black wheels.

The Interior:

Step into the F-Pace SVR and you’ll be greeted to a cabin that is not only gorgeous but packed with all the right features for luxury and sport. There’s a great blend of leather, suede, and carbon fibre to give occupants the feeling of power and grace. The dual-quilted seats are supportive and they suited my body frame nicely. They could have more padding, which would be great for long drives, but for every day driving, they are great. My tester came equipped with heated and vented front seats and heated rear seats. I would have liked massage in the seats, but those are better fitted for the Jaguar XJ or the Range Rover Sport or full-size.

Driver seating position is higher than I expected, even at the lowest setting, but it does provide excellent visibility. The second-row passengers enjoy good head and legroom; we had five adults in this SVR and all of us were comfortable. And thankfully, the designers decided to stick with the SportShift gear selector vs. the rotary dial. Yes, it takes up a little more space, but an actual pistol-type gear shifter that you can hold is necessary for this vehicle.

The Technology:

My last company lease was a Jaguar XJ Sport and the one knock on that vehicle was its infotainment system; not only was it sluggish, but the display and resolution were not fitting for a $100K vehicle. Thankfully, Jaguar has improved it and the F-Pace utilizes the InControl infotainment system. The 10” HD touchscreen display is more responsive than before, even though it still falls short of the German contenders. There were times when I had to touch the screen twice to activate a feature. Both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are both supported. I didn’t have the chance to use Android Auto; however, that being said, it’s worked well in other Jag models and I assume it would in this SVR as well. The 12.3” digital dash I didn’t like; it’s not that it’s not functional but that the functions and menus aren’t intuitive at all. That being said, graphics are razor sharp. At the end of the day, do these minor flaws really matter for the SVR? Definitely not.

The Power:

Up until now, the top trim powerplant for the F-Pace was the supercharged V6, which was definitely enough for most drivers. It delivers 380 horsepower which still giving some decent fuel economy. However, under the hood of the F-Pace SVR is the monstrous V8, and supercharged as well. This 5.0L puts out 550 horsepower and has 502 lb-ft of torque, all going to an all-wheel drive system through an 8-speed automatic transmission. And to hear this power, which others will notice for sure, is an active exhaust system. From the moment you fire up the SVR, you’ll know this Jag means business.

The Drive:

Aahh, finally, the part that really matters for most of the readers. I’ve been blessed to have had the chance to drive the F-Pace SVR on both the track and as my weekly test vehicle. In late 2019, I drove the SVR at the MotorSport track in Bowmanville, Ontario. Four laps around the track was enough for me to notice that this SVR could possibly handle its own against the likes of the M’s, AMG’s and even the SRT’s. On the track, I kept the vehicle in Dynamic Mode, with Sport selected as well. While taking corners or on straightaways, you could hear the bellowing exhaust from a mile away, and boy does it sound nice. The F-Pace SVR handled great, with the steering being responsive and accurate. Since the supercharger is always on, there was instant power at any and every moment. And when I needed to stop, huge 15.5” front and 15.6” rear discs did the job just well. Jaguar claims a 0 – 100 km/h time of 4.3 seconds and from the runs that I did in Ontario, I would think it’s spot on. I’ve heard that even a 4.1 second time was recorded. Off the track and around the city, whether local streets or highways, the F-Pace SVR does everything you want it to. Keep the vehicle in Comfort mode, and it behaves like a luxury vehicle should, comfortable and forgiving. I doubt anyone is going to use Eco mode, but for those looking to save some fuel, it is there as an option. Merging onto the highway is a breeze; punch it and you can get up to speed in the blink of an eye. And once at highway speeds, the ride is smooth and what you’d expect from the F-Pace. There is some body roll when going through windy roads, but you feel it mostly in Comfort mode. If you put the vehicle in Sport mode, it does tighten up the suspension and body roll decreases, but it’s not as tight as say the Macan Turbo. The F-Pace SVR is a great vehicle for the city. Whether driving to get groceries or taking the kids to activities, I found the size and drivability to be well suited for my needs. It was nimble enough to navigate the busy parking lots around the soccer fields and be perfect for going to business meetings.

Concluding Thoughts:

I’ve been a fan of Jaguar vehicles for a long time and in the past five or six years, there’s more and more to like about them, especially when there’s more power available. And by taking the already hot-selling and attractive F-Pace and throwing a 5.0L supercharged V8 under the hood, how can you go wrong. Yes, my test SVR was almost double the price of a base F-Pace, but then they are two completely different beasts. Plus, the name “Jag” rocks too.

2020 HYUNDAI PALISADE

Ihave always been intrigued by different makes and models of vehicles. However, I have never been behind the wheel of a completely brand-new vehicle until I was provided the opportunity to spend a week with the 2020 Hyundai Palisade. The Palisade by Hyundai is its best and biggest to date, even though it is not their first three-row SUV for the brand. The Palisade offers three spacious rows of seating, loads of safety and driver assisted technology, all-wheel drive, and distinctive styling, which I found was a bold statement for this Korean manufacturer. The trim line of the Hyundai Palisade press vehicle had all the bells and whistles and the pricing for this model topped out at $53,999. It had Nappa leather seating surfaces, a faux-suede headliner, heated and ventilated first and second row seats, a 12 speaker Harmon/Kardon audio system, and a vast amount of safety and driver assisted systems. I found the price tag as a shock because when I was comparing the Palisade with the likes of higher-end German manufactures like Mercedes or BMW, the latter did not provide as many features or their vehicles were base entry levels at this price point. by: Jimmy Gill

Engine, Transmission, and Towing

What do you get for all that money? You get a lot, and then much more. You get a smooth and responsive 3.8 litre V-6 engine with idle start-stop technology and an eight-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC paddle shifters. The engine produces 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. I enjoyed driving the Palisade with the steering wheel mounted paddles. The paddles provided a sporty feel to the SUV. I found the gearbox shifted smoothly on its own; however, when I drove it up to UBC with my family, I found the Palisade had some hesitation when climbing the hills.

Now this could be that the vehicle was fully-loaded with 6 full adults. The Palisade I was driving was allwheel drive with multi-terrain control modes and had 5,000 lbs of towing capacity.

Interior, Infotainment, and Cargo

I find the Palisade to have a spacious interior, simple infotainment operation and a large cargo area that can be easily expanded. One very neat touch which was added to this SUV was push buttons for gear selection instead of the conventional gear shifter. I found this feature saved lots of space. This added space expanded into two very well sized cup holders which open at the push of a button and they could hold more than your Tall or Venti sized Starbucks drink. Moreover, it had a built-in wireless charging pad and I found this feature very convenient for me because I was constantly using my mobile phone to check emails or updates on various sports which I follow religiously. As a result of the built-in wireless charging pad, I had no worries of my phone running out of battery. Overall, I found the controls for the climate system and drive modes were conveniently laid out and easy to use. There was room for up to seven passengers and I found there was plenty of space in all three rows for the occupants. The second row features a one-touch button to move the seat forward for easy access to the third row and I found this to be a very nice added touch. Moreover, I found the Napa leather seating was very comfortable and long drives were not an issue with heated and cooled seating for front and second row passengers. Since, I was driving this vehicle when it was raining and cold in Vancouver, the heated steering wheel was the perfectly added feature at keeping my hands warm. The three-zone climate control allows both the driver and front passenger to select their desired temperatures, as well as the secondrow passengers. This model of the Palisade came equipped with a 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth connectivity. The touch screen had sharp resolution and had navigation and SirusXM satellite radio. Both systems can be operated by physical knobs and buttons. I found there were up to seven USB ports, meaning all passengers could essentially have their own USB port - how cool is that? With three rows up, there is still some truck space which can be utilized. However, with some Tetris skills, I think I could fit a few suitcases or some duffle bags in there. Underneath the load floor, there is plenty of room to store muddy or wet items. The cubbies in the doors are tight, but there is reasonable storage within and below the floating bridge center console.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

If you are looking to buy a three-row SUV to transport your loved ones, then the Palisade might just be what you’re looking for. To transport these important people, safety features are vital when choosing a family SUV. The Palisade I was driving came equipped with a whole suite of features, such as forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning with lane keeping assist, blind-spot collision avoidance assist and parking distance warning – reverse/parking distance warning for front. I found the most useful safety feature to be the blind spot collision avoidance assist because the steering wheel vibrated when I was about to change lanes and there was a vehicle in my blind spot.

Verdict

With the starting price of $38,499 and the top price being $53,999, the 2020 Hyundai Palisade shows the perfect balance of practicality and luxury. Even our tester Palisade, which was heavily optioned at $53,999, I still feel you are getting a lot for your money. I would recommend this SUV to family-oriented individuals who would not want to break the bank just to get into the SUV market.

TRUCK-SIZED DRIVE-THRU POPS UP IN EDMONTON

EDMONTON, AB: A one-of-a-kind coffee shop popped up at Edmonton’s Rosenau Transport today. The TruckThru by Fountain Tire is a drive-thru that tractor trailers can actually drive through. The unique pop-up shop served free coffee and snacks right to truck drivers’ windows as a way of saying thank-you to an industry that has persevered through the challenging COVID-19 pandemic. “Canada’s transport industry has worked hard these past few months to deliver essential goods across the country,” said Nelson Tonn, Vice President Sales and Mine Service at Fountain Tire. “We’re on this road together with commercial and fleet customers across Western Canada and wanted to say thank-you to a longstanding partner that has worked tirelessly during – and before – the pandemic.” Ken Rosenau, President, Rosenau Transport Ltd. commented, “Fountain Tire’s Truck-Thru has been a terrific way to recognize the commitment our drivers make every day. As a company that prides itself on service, it’s important for Rosenau to be aligned with partners who understand our needs, our drivers’ and our customers’ needs.” The Fountain Tire Truck-Thru was launched in 2018 to recognize how downtime can have a major bearing on a company’s bottom line. It is a lighthearted way to demonstrate that small actions – such as getting a coffee from the convenience of the cab – can have a large impact for transport and delivery vehicles. The Fountain Tire Truck-Thru will be popping up at locations across Western Canada throughout 2020.

Protecting Yourself From Fraud During COVID-19

by: Jag Dhatt

Safeguarding against scams can be a challenge. This is especially true during difficult periods like we are experiencing now. The COVID-19 pandemic is creating a lot of uncertainty and worry – the very things that fraudsters thrive on.

Scams can include phone calls, emails and texts that seem to be from financial institutions asking for personal or financial information. If you receive this kind of request, be cautious. Financial institutions will never ask for personal information, login credentials or account information by email or text message.

If you are suspicious about information you receive related to your banking, contact the financial institution directly before taking any action.

Here are a few more tips to help you be vigilant during this unprecedented time:

Never click on links or attachments in unsolicited or suspicious emails.

Never give out your personal or financial information by email or text.

When banking online, enter your financial institution’s website address in your browser yourself.

Beware of questionable offers related to relief measures or quick fixes. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

In the unfortunate event that you do experience financial fraud, it’s important to inform your financial institution immediately. You should also report the incident to your local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by calling its toll-free line at 1-888- 495-8501 or completing an online report.

Find more information on identity theft, types of fraud, and other threats or scams at canada.ca/money. - News Canada