Jaguar Land Rover creates Special Operation department

Jaguar Land Rover has announced a new Special Operations division that will focus not only on high performance versions of existing models, but also bespoke commissions, heritage models and a new range of branded products. The new division will also be behind the JLR’s halo cars from now onwards.

The company has tasked former Land Rover global brand director John Edwards with leading the new group. The design and engineering team will be directed by Paul Newsome, recruited from Formula 1 specialist Williams Advanced Engineering.

The team will develop limited-edition halo models for both Jaguar and Land Rover, including high-luxury editions, custom-builds and extreme performance variants.

A new Technical Centre will be built in the UK to house 150 engineers and designers, with F1-inspired flexible workshops and a customer commissioning suite for vehicle personalisation services. The company will also establish a heritage vehicle workshop in Coventry.

Jaguar Land Rover has not revealed details about the models that will be developed by the Special Operations division.