In the past, SVO (Special Vehicle Operations, Jaguar Land Rover’s Department of Special Vehicles) has repeatedly confirmed the arrival of a sportier version of the Jaguar I-Pace, which is currently the company’s only electric car. Dubbed the I-Pace SVR, this model would draw on the company’s expertise in the I-Pace eTrophy. A single-brand competition that runs with a racing version of the electric SUV.
However, SVO Managing Director Michael van der Sande has finally announced that the I-Pace SVR will not hit the market.
“The I-Pace is not on the way, but there are several things that we are working on and that we cannot talk about, but we are very interested in electrification. That is why we get involved in eTrophy. We will develop electrified versions of new cars, whether hybrid or fully electric.”
This decision is because the I-Pace has a dedicated platform that will not reach other Jaguar Land Rover models. In contrast, the Jaguar XJ will have SVO versions, since it will be based on the MLA modular platform which will be shared with the rest of the group’s models. Therefore, the arrival of an SVR version of the new XJ is highly probable.
Possibly after the XJ, the next electric cars to have special versions developed by SVO are the Jaguar J-Pace and Land Rover Road Rover. Two luxury SUVs that will share the production line with the representation sedan and will be offered both in thermal versions as 100% electric. Something that will be possible thanks to the flexibility of the MLA platform.
The SVO division announced record sales last year, up 64% from the previous fiscal year. Something accomplished primarily thanks to the Jaguar F-Pace SVR and Range Rover Velar SVA (SVO vehicles are named SVR if they are sporty, SVA if they are luxurious, and SVX if they have an off-road approach). This situation contrasts with the drop in sales of 5.9% of Jaguar Land Rover in 2019.