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550-hp Jaguar F-Pace SVR revealed ahead of New York Auto Show

"I love this car." So said Jaguar designer Ian Callum, quite genuinely, as the Jaguar F-Pace SVR drove onto the stage at the company's new headquarters in Mahwah, N.J. Despite accepting and even embracing Jaguar's decision to produce SUVs, it's quite obvious (because he says so repeatedly) that Callum is still a guy with a lust for high-powered sports cars. The F-Pace SVR melds these two elements to create something he gleefully describes as "ridiculous." Boasting Jaguar Land Rover's now-familiar supercharged 5.0-liter V8, the SVR produces 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. Jag estimates it'll hit 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 176 mph, which will make it one of the quickest and fastest SUVs on the road when it arrives in dealerships this summer. View 15 Photos It's not just the big engine, however. Upgraded mechanical improvements and enhancements include stiffer springs, wider and lighter forged alloy wheels (21- or 22 inches), bigger brakes (15.5-inch front, 15.6-inch rear), an electronic active rear differential, a variable active exhaust that's 14.5 pounds lighter than the standard one, and specially tuned software for the adaptive suspension, electric steering, eight-speed automatic, all-wheel drive and Dynamic Driving Mode. Callum's team also massaged the aerodynamics with larger air intakes, rear bumper side strakes, and fender vents that lower pressure in the wheel arches to reduce lift and increase cooling. A unique hood features vents designed to, well, vent hot air from the engine compartment. There are also wheel arch extensions and lower body moldings to create a more muscular appearance, while the rear sees fat quad tailpipes that one would assume should bark and burp like any good Jaguar SVR. Inside, there are thinner, light-weight sport seats done up in snazzy quilted leather. The rear seat also gets sportier seats with a similar fixed headrest design as those up front. The pistol-like sport gear selector shifter, as used in the Jaguar F-Type, replaces the standard rotary shifter design. It still takes up way too much room on the center console. Pricing starts at $80,985. One would assume Mr. Callum will gets his for less than that. Related Video:

NHTSA is investigating FCA shifters for roll-away accidents again, this time the rotary units

It seems FCA's shifter troubles aren't over yet. Now, just a few months after issuing a recall to resolve user-related issues with its monostable shifters, the company is again under investigation by NHTSA. The issue is related to the potential for cars to roll away when the rotary-style shifter is not properly placed in park. Two FCA models are the subject of this investigation: the 2013–2016 Ram 1500 and the 2014–2016 Dodge Durango. NHTSA estimates about 1,000,000 vehicles would be affected if a recall is issued. The investigation was started following 43 complaints of vehicles rolling away while supposedly being in "park." Among the complaints were reports of 25 crashes and 9 injuries. NHTSA does point out that in every incident, the parking brake was not engaged. A representative from FCA also gave us an official statement regarding the investigation: "FCA US is cooperating fully with NHTSA's investigation, the scope of which is limited. Other vehicles equipped with rotary shifters are not included. In accordance with prudent practice, the Company joins NHTSA in urging all drivers to use their vehicles' parking brakes." View 35 Photos As mentioned above, other Chrysler products with rotary shifters, such as the Pacifica minivan and 200 sedan, are not involved in this investigation. One of the key differences, as the representative told us, is that these vehicles have electronic parking brakes that automatically engage if the driver does not select park and then opens the door with the seatbelt unbuckled. The Ram 1500 and Durango feature mechanical, manually operated parking brakes and therefore cannot activate the brake automatically. Because this is currently an investigation, an exact cause for the incidents has yet to be determined, and none of the vehicles have been recalled. It's possible there could be a mechanical defect. However, the issue could be a confusing interface causing user error, as was the case with FCA's monostable shifters, where drivers think they've put the car in park but actually haven't. Something that indicates it could be a case of confused users is that NHTSA also opened an investigation into 2012–2014 Jaguar XF and Land Rover Range Rover Evoques for similar issues. Both vehicles use a rotary shifter and have had roll-away complaints levied as well. Even if it is a case of user error, FCA and Jaguar Land Rover may still have to recall their vehicles.

Xcar experiences the 2015 Mille Miglia from a Jaguar C-Type

Xcar Films has returned to the Mille Miglia this year for another trip from Brescia to Rome and back. However, unlike the last survey of the historic rally from the comfy seat of a Jaguar F-Type, it did things properly in 2015 with a first-person look at the entire event from a somewhat temperamental Jaguar C-Type. As you'd expect, you get to check out 1,000 miles of beautiful Italian roads and similarly gorgeous vintage sports cars, but the reporting here is great, too. Alex Goy alternates between navigating and learning to drive the C-Type with its tricky gearbox over the four-day rally, and he narrates the entire video, as well. From what we can tell, participating in the Mille Miglia is essentially a license to break every law of the road imaginable. The police not only allow this to happen; they encourage it. Goy does a fantastic job of giving viewers an idea of what's it like to take part in the historic event. Being in a 50-year-old racecar for that long looks absolutely exhausting but also completely worth it.