The super fast Jaguar XE SV Project 8 gets its world debut this week at Goodwood.

• New Jaguar XE SV Project 8 sits at the pinnacle of the world’s performance sedans, with a thrilling mix of explosive power, dynamic agility and all-wheel drive traction
• Significant SVO enhancements made to award-winning XE include lightweight aluminium and carbon fibre exterior panels to meet extreme performance targets
• 200mph and 0-60mph in 3.3sec – supercar performance from Jaguar’s most compact four-door sedan
• Limited-run of just 300 examples worldwide – exclusively left-hand drive
• Project 8 is the most powerful Jaguar road car ever – and first road-legal Jaguar with a 600PS 5.0-litre supercharged V8
• Project 8 will be the first car completely hand-assembled by SVO’s expert craftsmen at the new £20m SVO Technical Centre in Warwickshire, UK
• Prices for Project 8 reflect the high-value engineering content and hand-built assembly process of this specialist car. Priced from £149,995 in UK
• Project 8 will make its world debut on 30 June at Goodwood Festival of Speed

Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) has revealed the most powerful, agile and extreme performance Jaguar road car ever – the 200mph, 600PS XE SV Project 8 sedan.

The second Collector’s Edition by SVO, following the successful F-TYPE Project 7 of 2014, Project 8 is a hand-built four-door sedan with supercar performance – designed to thrill driving enthusiasts, with an extraordinary combination of explosive power, dynamic agility and all-wheel-drive traction. To ensure exclusivity, no more than 300 examples will be created, each assembled at SVO’s Technical Centre in Coventry.

John Edwards, Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations Managing Director, said: “SVO's raison d'être is to produce halo vehicles that push the boundaries in terms of luxury, performance and all-terrain capability. Project 8 is a great example of what happens when enthusiastic designers, engineers and manufacturing specialists are given the opportunity to create an extreme performance sports car without compromise.

“Project 8 will be assembled by hand in the new SVO Technical Centre, and we're confident that our enthusiastic and demanding clients will love driving Project 8 as much we do!"

Project 8 exclusively features the most highly tuned version of Jaguar Land Rover’s 5.0-litre Supercharged V8 petrol powertrain. The 600PS power unit, which has a Titanium Variable Active Exhaust, is complemented by Jaguar’s All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system and motorsport-derived aerodynamics to deliver a 200mph top speed and 0-60mph in 3.3sec*, making Project 8 the fastest accelerating Jaguar yet.

Fundamental to the performance of the most track-focused car SVO has ever produced, Project 8 features a number of purposeful modifications to the award-winning XE’s lightweight aluminium body panels, including: Carbon Fibre Bumper with enhanced Cooling Ducts, vented Carbon Fibre Bonnet, flared bodywork covering 20-inch forged aluminium alloy wheels, adjustable Front Splitter, Flat Underbody, rear Carbon Fibre Bumper, rear Diffuser and adjustable Rear Aerodynamic Wing. Project 8 will be the lightest V8 sedan in the Jaguar range.

Mark Stanton, SVO Director, said:“We have really been able to unleash the potential of our engineering and design teams in specifying Project 8. We are at the beginning of a very challenging and exciting development programme which will see us focus on ensuring Project 8 delivers track performance on a level previously not targeted by Jaguar.

“The SVO team is full of performance car enthusiasts that are now briefed to deliver motorsport science and soul in what is effectively a four-door supercar.”

To ensure optimum performance on road or track, Project 8 endows the XE’s double-wishbone front and Integral Link rear suspension with stiffer springs and manually adjustable Continuously Variable Dampers (giving a 15mm lower ride height for track use), debuts a new Carbon Ceramic Braking system, an industry-first use of Formula 1-style silicon nitride ceramic wheel bearings on a road car, and incorporates a rear Electronic Active Differential (EAD) with oil cooler – a first for XE.

The high-performance theme continues inside, with subtle applications of Gloss Carbon Fibre trim as well as Alcantara, on the rim of the Project 8 Sport Steering Wheel, instrument binnacle and door cards. The eight-speed Quickshift transmission can either be operated by aluminium paddle shifters behind the steering wheel or by a central Pistolshift lever – another first for XE.

Project 8 is also the first Jaguar to feature a dedicated Track Mode, which tailors driveline and stability control systems for circuit use, and sharpens both throttle and steering responses for ultimate precision and driver feedback.

Project 8 will be available in two specifications at launch. The standard four-seat model features Jaguar’s latest front Performance seats with magnesium frames, plus a more heavily contoured rear squab to maximise support. The optional two-seat Track Pack includes lightweight front Carbon Fibre Racing Seats with Four-Point Harnesses fixed to a Harness Retention Hoop in place of the rear seat. All Project 8s will be built in left-hand drive configuration only.

Full details of Project 8 are now online at www.jaguar.co.uk, including eight body colour choices – three eye-catching standard colours: Fuji White, Narvik Black and Caldera Red, plus five enhanced SVO Design options incorporating colours and finishes from the SVO Premium Palette: Valencia Orange, Velocity Blue, Meribel White, Verbier Silver and Corris Grey (satin matte).

Project 8 owners will also be able to personalise their car by opting for further colours and finishes from the SVO Premium Palette range, which includes 19 colours in tri-coat, tinted clear coat, pearlescent, ChromaFlairTM and satin matte finishes. Race-inspired decal packs, accentuating Project 8’s high-performance attributes, are also available.

The Jaguar XE SV Project 8 will make its world debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed in West Sussex, UK, which runs from 29 June – 2 July. Project 8 will make its dynamic world debut on the famous Goodwood Hill on Friday 30 June.

Staff from MG’s Technical Centre, SMTC, which is based at the company’s Longbridge site in Birmingham.

“Their love of the job doesn’t just stop at the end of the day.”

Staff from MG’s Technical Centre, SMTC, which is based at the company’s Longbridge site in Birmingham, recently hosted a vehicle showcase event to profile the team’s engineering expertise and show off their ‘pet projects’, all in aid of charity and having a good time!

From classic cars and hot rods to a variety of motorbikes, the Vehicles of Interest Day saw a number of projects displayed – each lovingly customised and restored by staff at the SMTC in their spare time. 

Each owner completed an overview fact sheet to share key details about their beloved vehicle, as well as explaining engineering modifications and performance upgrades.

Following the showcase, vehicles were taken to the Curborough Sprint Course in Lichfield for an ‘out-of-hours’ race club. As well as taking their own projects around the course, a number of race-prepared MG3 and MG6 models were also made available for staff to drive.

Throughout the event, a collection was taken for Macmillan Cancer Support, a charity close to the hearts of many staff members at the SMTC. The funds raised will be presented to the charity later this year, alongside proceeds from a number of other events planned over the coming months.

Richard McAlister, Vice Director – Electrical at the SMTC, commented: “Every year, we organise a number of teambuilding events to bring staff closer together and develop a strong working culture.

“As highly trained engineers, a number of our team build, refurbish and modify vehicles in their spare time – their love of the job doesn’t just stop at the end of the day! The Vehicles of Interest day was, therefore, a great teambuilding initiative and feedback following the event has been excellent.”

As an integral part of SAIC Motor Corporation Limited – the parent company of MG Motor – SMTC is responsible for key phases of the engineering, research, design and development programmes for all new MG products worldwide.

JLR #3 -Jaguar Land Rover CLassic gets a new home to expand it's business further.

• Jaguar Land Rover invests initial £7.5m in brand new premises in the British Midlands for Classic business division
• New headquarters will be based near the new Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) Technical Centre in Coventry
• New premises will enable Jaguar Land Rover Classic to offer an extensive range of cars, services, parts and experiences for Jaguar and Land Rover owners and enthusiasts
• Jaguar Land Rover Classic collection of vehicles to be stored and maintained in new facility

Jaguar Land Rover Classic, the new brand offering classic car sales, restorations, parts supply and driving experiences to Jaguar and Land Rover owners and enthusiasts, will have a new home later this year following the £7.5m acquisition and development of a new headquarters in Coventry, England.

The new Classic headquarters is planned to open early in 2017, and will be based near to the Jaguar Land Rover SVO Technical Centre in Coventry – an all-new, £20m hub of specialist vehicle personalisation, assembly and finishing.

Tim Hannig, Director, Jaguar Land Rover Classic, said: “The development of a new home for Jaguar Land Rover Classic in Coventry is hugely significant for owners and enthusiasts of classic Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles.

“In this fantastic new facility we will offer the opportunity for owners and prospective customers to meet with us, review and select the cars or services that meet their personal requirements and then establish a close relationship with Jaguar Land Rover Classic throughout the purchase process and beyond.” 

The expansive new Jaguar Land Rover Classic site will continually feature a selection of cars from the growing Jaguar Land Rover Classic collection, which is made up of a variety of important historic cars from the two great British brands. The Classic business will continue to offer customers the opportunity to experience some of these notable cars through its Classic Drives programme: http://www.jaguar.co.uk/about-jaguar/jaguar-classic/classic-driving.html

Customers will also be able to view and buy Jaguar and Land Rover Classic vehicles, which are restored through programmes like Land Rover ‘Reborn’*. Other models will also get a   similar treatment, allowing customers to experience classic Jaguars and Land Rovers as they were when they were first manufacture

JLR #2 - The SVO Business expands to increase staffing by an extra 250 people this year.

• Jaguar Land Rover is creating 250 jobs across its Special Operations division during 2016; an increase of nearly 25 per cent
• Special Operations is responsible for halo car products (Special Vehicle Operations), Vehicle Personalisation, classic car programmes by Jaguar Land Rover Classic and an exciting range of Branded Goods 
• Recruitment plan aligned to opening of new SVO Technical Centre and acquisition of new Jaguar Land Rover Classic headquarter facilities in UK

Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations today announces recruitment plans to support its ambitious growth strategy, with the creation of 250 new jobs this year.

Just two years after its creation in 2014, plans to increase the number of employees across Special Operations’ business areas is aligned to the £30m investment made in new headquarter facilities in the British Midlands for Special Vehicle Operations (£20m) and Jaguar Land Rover Classic (£7.5m).

John Edwards, Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations Managing Director, said: “Today we employ just over 1,000 designers, engineers and technicians across four divisions in Special Operations.

“The team is energetic, enthusiastic and entrepreneurial. They are the principal reason that we have made a strong start in business since 2014.

“Now we have new facilities, technologies, products and services in place to exceed the demands of our most discerning customers all over the world. I look forward to strengthening our team and delivering on this fantastic opportunity.”

Since June 2014, Special Vehicle Operations has successfully launched the Jaguar F-TYPE Project 7 and incredible new, 200mph-capble F-TYPE SVR, as well as the formidable Range Rover Sport SVR and luxurious Range Rover SVAutobiography. Sales of SVO products across both the Jaguar and Land Rover brands totalled more than 3,600 in the 2015/16 financial year.

John Edwards said: “Our business plans are driven by the desire for ‘halo’ vehicles and other exclusive products from customers in all corners of the globe. The vision for Special Vehicle Operations is to launch one new SVO car every year, on average, for at least the next four years.”

These new products will be crafted at the new £20m Special Vehicle Operations Technical Centre at Oxford Road in Coventry. The new centre will contain four new areas, with a Commissioning Suite and Viewing Suite where experts will guide customers through the design and creation of their new vehicles. These vehicles become reality in the newly-established Manufacturing Facility, Paint Facility and Technical Suite. These new facilities, and the people working there, will be responsible for building the cars that represent the very pinnacle of the Jaguar and Land Rover brands, offering the ultimate in luxury, performance and capability.

Jaguar Land Rover Classic, which is responsible for the successful launches of continuation editions of the Jaguar Lightweight E-type and forthcoming XKSS, as well as the recent introduction of the Land Rover ‘Reborn’ restoration programme, will establish a new home in the British Midlands later this year, following acquisition of a new site near to the Special Vehicle Operations Technical Centre. The initial investment in this new facility totals £7.5m and the new site will house car sales, restorations, servicing and parts operations.

JLR #1 - SVO gets it's own manufacturing base to build, design & commission storming versions of existing cars.

• Brand new Technical Centre to undertake manufacturing, personalisation and commissioning programmes for Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations division
• New Technical Centre located near Coventry represents a £20m investment by Jaguar Land Rover
• Technical Centre comprises four zones: Manufacturing Facility, Paint Facility, Technical Suite and new VIP Commissioning and Viewing Suites 

Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) today officially opens its new Technical Centre in the heart of the British Midlands. The innovative new £20m facility near Coventry will be the headquarters of SVO and will house manufacturing, paint, technical and customer commissioning and presentation zones inside the 20,000m2 facility.

The new Technical Centre is significant representation of the growth of Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations – the specialist division of Jaguar Land Rover created in June 2014 to build a business responsible for halo car products (SVO), Vehicle Personalisation, classic car programmes by Jaguar Land Rover Classic and an exciting range of Branded Goods. 

John Edwards, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations, said: “The new Special Vehicle Operations Technical Centre is a major step forward in meeting the desires of our most discerning customers. There are more than 200 skilled employees here that are committed to outstanding quality and craftsmanship in everything they do.

“The SVO Technical Centre is very modern facility, inspired by a Formula 1 engineering centre. It covers 20,000 square metres including a manufacturing area, one of the world’s most eco-friendly and advanced paint shops, custom-built commissioning suite, technical suite, presentation suite and offices.

“This new Technical Centre enables us to build on the successful launches of the Range Rover Sport SVR, Range Rover SVAutobiography and Jaguar F-TYPE SVR , and provide an excellent foundation for the growth of the SVO business with the introduction of exciting new Vehicle Personalisation programmes.”

The Vision: Vehicle Personalisation

In future, customers will be able to visit the Technical Centre’s Bespoke Commissioning Suite by invitation, where they will explore the infinite range of possibilities for creating and customising their own Jaguar or Land Rover vehicle. A member of the Jaguar or Land Rover Design team will be on hand to assist the customer in the commissioning process.

Greg Clark, Director of Vehicle Personalisation said: “Our brand new facility delivers industry leading quality, precision and choice. We will encourage customers to participate in the design of their own vehicles, to give a real sense of emotional connection to something that they have created; something unique.

“Our aim is to progressively grow our portfolio to cater to, and exceed, the desires of our most discerning customers.”

The exclusive experience will continue through to the food served to customers visiting the Technical Centre. Michelin-starred chef Graham Edwards, who learned his trade in London’s West End and has previously worked with Raymond Blanc, is on hand to create a selection of dishes designed to suit the client or and utilising the very best of the Midlands’ regional ingredients.

The SVO story will continue in the Technical Centre once the customer has left, as their car is painted and hand-finished in the other three areas of the building.

The quality and attention to detail throughout the Technical Centre has been inspired by the exacting standards of the top level of motorsport. The workshop features a series of highly advanced workstations and has been created to enable the final assembly of SVO vehicles, by hand, to the highest possible quality.

‘Engineers of the future’ got a hands-on experience with MG Motor’s upcoming SUV, the MG GS.

‘Engineers of the future’ got a hands-on experience with MG Motor’s upcoming SUV, the MG GS, at a local careers fair. Last year, colleagues from MG’s technical centre volunteered to work as ambassadors to close the skills gap that is currently affecting the UK engineering industry. 

As part of this role, they took along MG’s GS augmented reality kit, to a career fair at Woodrush High School, which generated great interest from students and led to conversations about the work going on at the historic Longbridge site.

At the end of last year, the technical centre was approached by an organisation called STEMNET based at the University of Worcester. STEMNET aims to bring the application of STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects to life by creating opportunities to inspire young people all over the UK in each subject. Nine employees stepped up to the plate, each volunteering to work with local schools and provide advice and guidance to help develop engineers of the future.

As part of their roles as volunteers, employees attend various STEM orientated events in a bid to boost the uptake of students on these types of courses. Figures published by the Confederation of British Industry show that, without enough well trained and highly skilled graduates and apprentices available to replace retiring engineers, 39% of businesses seeking employees with STEM skills are finding it difficult to recruit. 

At the school’s careers fair, the technical centre volunteers were able to provide information about the work experience and internships that are on offer at MG Motor UK and SAIC Motor UK.

Chris Wooley, who is a STEM volunteer and works in the vehicle performance department, said: “As a STEM ambassador I feel I have the opportunity to share the knowledge and experience obtained throughout my career. My goal is to offer an insight into the world of engineering and provide guidance, inspiration and direction to the younger generation as they embark on their exciting journey.”

By getting involved, MG and the technical centre are aiming to have a demonstrable and positive impact, helping to address the STEM skills shortage and provide a vital link between employers and the workforce of tomorrow.