More electrified Jags coming

Electrification is coming for Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) division models, apart from the electric I-Pace.

That’s confirmed by SVO managing director Michael van der Sande in Auto Express UK, adding they will be all-electric or plug-in hybrids (PHEVs).

But the SVO developed and run Jaguar I-Paces in the eTrophy race series supporting the ABB FIA Formula E championship won’t be on the early SVO list for buyers, he says.

That may be because the I-Pace has its own all-electric platform which won’t be used for any other JLR model, Auto Express speculates.

The electric Jaguar XJ due to be unveiled later this year is expected to be the first to use JLR’s new MLA architecture planned across the entire large Jaguar and Land Rover line-up and could get an early SVO makeover.

The electric Jaguar J-Pace SUV and an unnamed Land Rover crossover are also likely to use the MLA EV platform and could get SVO treatment.

The SVO division had record sales during the past year (up 64% on the previous financial year), with New Zealand the best market.

Sales of SVO treated vehicles have risen by 175% year-on-year.

“Strong sales in the New Zealand market reflect Kiwi’s love for SV products and their buying habits when it comes to performance vehicles,” JLR NZ general manager Steve Kenchington says.

“While the SV product range has assisted Jaguar Land Rover New Zealand’s total sales growth over the last 12 months, the introduction of new technologies in electrification have meant that we are also able to offer the likes of the World Car of the Year Jaguar I-Pace.”

The eTrophy event includes Giltrap Group backed Kiwi e-racer Simon Evans, and the Jaguar Formula E team with his brother Mitch Evans at the wheel.

Kenchington says the combination of these two investments into electric racing has given Jaguar significant engineering technology and data to deliver outstanding SVO performance.