Jaguar I-Pace SVR under evaluation

A Jaguar I-Pace SVR model is under evaluation, as the firm seeks to maintain its advantage of launching an electric SUV ahead of all of its established premium rivals.

At the New York motor show, Jaguar launched the F-Pace SVR, but officials admitted that a high-performance electric car is now under consideration.

Hanno Kirner, Jaguar Land Rover’s executive director, corporate and strategy, as well as head of the Special Vehicle Operations (SVO), said: “We haven’t committed to anything, but we have begun evaluating what an electric SVR could offer and how we can make authentic SVR cars using the technology.

“The I-Pace has strong levels of speed, you could say, and there are technical additions that could make various project interesting projects for SVO. That includes fast SVR versions, but also perhaps extreme luxury SVA or off-road SVX models.”

Jaguar signalled interest in electric performance cars when it confirmed that a racing version of its I-Pace (pictured) would compete in a one-make series to support Formula E.

Wayne Burgess, head of design for Jaguar SVR models, hinted that the division would also produce more high-performance SUVs to follow the just-launched F-Pace SVR.

Although Burgess declined to comment on it, the Jaguar E-Pace SVR is thought to be further down the line of development than the I-Pace SVR, and it is possible that one of the trio of SUVs made by Jaguar could be further enhanced with an ultra-limited edition ‘Project’ treatment, in the vein of the F-Type Project 7 and upcoming XE Project 8.

“We’ve proved that Jaguar can make credible SUVs so I don’t see why we wouldn’t do more,” said Burgess. “I suspect there are customers for such cars - just look at how popular the Range Rover Sport SVR is. That car shows that it can be done, and the combination of performance and practicality definitely has a place.”

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