Thursday 26th June 2014

Harry Metcalfe talks JLR Special Ops

JLR's latest recruit puts his money where his mouth is and orders a Project 7 F-Type of his own

---

While ogling Jaguar's production-ready F-Type Project 7 in the Goodwood sunshine, PH bumped into former evo figurehead Harry Metcalfe, who now works as a consultant for JLR Special Operations. This is one of the projects that's been keeping him busy - and it sounds like he's pleased with the result.

There's one headed for Harry's collection

So much so, he's actually bought one! "I've got my order in," he told us. Guess that's a perk of working for JLR's crack new special cars division, although it does also show how much belief he has in the new operation: he's literally putting his six-figure money where his mouth is by buying the first production-ready vehicle from the new division.

It's a crucial car to get right. "It's important that this car makes a statement", Harry told us - explaining that the SO division represents a modern form of specialism that's more advanced than the slightly 'route one' approach of, say, AMG. Most performance brands can only really do that - make fast, focused cars - and it's only now that they're trying to expand their portfolio.

"With Special Operations, we're starting out with a much broader reach - these days, you can't just be all about high performance." JLR Special Operations will thus be covering high-spec vehicles which will include high performance models, but also ultra-luxury models and limited-run collector's editions (like Project 7).

Scope of work goes beyond the norm says Metcalfe

In addition, it will take on truly bespoke commissions, offer heritage services including vehicle recreations (like the new Lightweight E-Type series) and produce a new range of branded goods. A genuine 150-strong standalone business unit, it will even get its own home in the West Midlands, at a to be confirmed location.

Harry's particularly excited about the SO leader JLR has headhunted - Paul Newsome (who'll work under MD John Edwards). He's the man that did the C-X75 but, more recently, has worked on Nissan's GT-R NISMO Nurburgring time attack car plus a whole host of other projects including Formula E. "Paul will make a huge difference here," said Harry. "He simply has a different way of thinking - he brings the F1 mentality of speed, precision and technological skill to the division." Indeed, this is how Special Operations has been able to produce Project 7 so quickly (it took just 12 months): the scale of what Jaguar's been able to do in such a short space of time backs up Harry's claim that Newsome brings something exciting to JLR SO.

But back to his own Project 7. Any plans? Well, it seems cross-continent European touring is on the agenda. "It's front-engined, has a decent boot (it's 196 litres...) - I love how usable it is." Indeed, stowable Bimini roof has required yet more bespoke engineering, and is more proof of SO's attention to detail, but is another reason why Project 7 appeals to customers such as Harry.

What colour though, Harry? "Ah, I'm not letting on just yet!"

---

Harry also told us he still checks out PH regularly and is keen to hear what the forums have to say about the Special Operations division and, in particular, the new F-Type Project 7. Over to you!

 

[Pistachio]

I think it is a great car but it hasn't won any races unlike the D Type that was a race car you could drive on the road.
credibility is the key to Jag success not just looking back in history

[Pistachio]

The car guys!! the car, I think Harry wants to hear thoughts on the car..

[Pistachio]

RenesisEvo said:

Pistachio said:

I think it is a great car but it hasn't won any races unlike the D Type that was a race car you could drive on the road.

The problem today is that you can't really race a road car in any meaningful way. By the time you've made it safe, competitive and compliant to all the rules it's far removed from a road car, and would be unbearable to all but the extremely dedicated if you were to try driving on the road.

Whilst I am pleased to see JLR pushing their special operations, and kudos to Metcalfe for putting his money where his mouth is, I just can't shake the feeling this is another outlet of vulgarity for the wealthy. Suddenly we have Q by Aston Martin, MSO (McLaren), as well as the older, more established ones like Porsche Exclusive, BMW Individual, and going back further, Rolls Royce Bespoke, to name but a few. I'm all for one-offs and coachbuilt specials (e.g. Glickenhaus' P4/5, Clapton's SP12 EC, McLaren X-1, Aston Martin CC100), as they provide interesting stories and curio for the enthusiast, but we're now arriving at the situation where everyone's car is unique, just like everyone else's...

Not quite true as Porsche do a nice trade in GT3 911 which are linked to motor racing. This was my point. Dont just produce specials just because of history, create specials that are linked to making history for instance winning at GT3 category possibly. This was the credibility I was talking about

[Pistachio]

Hmmm........let me think of a toy box that I would have....
F-Type V8 sportswagon (low volume) like the Lynx Eventer could be cool

Land Rover could try 6 wheel drive Range Rover like they did in the 1970's and 1980's

Range Rover cabrio low volume to compete with Rolls Royce ?

Evoque with a V8 engine

[Pistachio]

monthefish said:

The challenge Harry and his team face is that, with limited unit runs, there is limited revenue coming in from the project before it becomes loss-making.

e.g. Standard XKR-S: £97,490
Special Ops XKR-S: £160,000? (the maximum someone would be prepared to pay?)
Increase revenue per unit: £62,500

x 200(?) units = £12.5m.

That would barely buy one injection mould tool for a new front bumper.

(No money for salaries, development work, testing, time in wind tunnel, time at MIRA, parts sign off/certification etc etc, and we've not touched the interior, engine, chassis, wheels etc etc)


Of course, 'halo' projects, even if they make a loss, are good for publicity and lead-in sales, but there's only so many of them the Board will be willing to sign off on before Harry and his team will be down at the job centre!

Edited by monthefish on Thursday 3rd July 13:47

Thats right keep it positive...come on its all about getting going rather than just doing what we always did.
I think your £12 million for an injection moulding tool as bit over optimistic but if you are doing special vehicles then you use low volume aluminium tools and often carbon fibre parts which does keep the costs down and revenue up.

[Pistachio]

NomduJour said:

How about a Range Rover for English people rather than Albanian drug lords - less tinsel and glitz (no sparkly chicken wire grilles), proper tyres on wheels that don't look like they belong on Cribs, some decent solid colours. Call it "County" or something.

I think thats called a Discovery :-)

[Pistachio]

DonkeyApple said:

NomduJour said:

Pistachio said:

I think thats called a Discovery :-)

Not since the Discovery 4 facelift it isn't.

Stick a hose inside that and you might as well throw it in the bin. However they spin it, once the Defender goes there will be no utility/practical product from JLR.

True, very true
so a back to basics run out Disco would be cool
It is funny that the original Range Rover looks no less classy than todays, it just does not have all the glitter.

[Pistachio]

NomduJour said:

Ultimately the Range Rover occupies a more rarefied position than it ever has done; the Discovery has also moved upmarket. Not going to change and that's why you never see an L405 attached to an Ifor Williams at the market - suspect the actual level of demand worldwide for something which doesn't look like a council house at Christmas is tiny; for a manual stripped-out RR single-figures. The hose-out thing is probably a bit wishful (I don't even do that to my old 109) but things like the L405 optional rubber mats seem to suggest that LR just aren't interested - they stop under the pedals on the driver's side so everything from your boots still ends up in the carpet. Pointless.

Aside from hoping the basic versions of next Defender aren't just a glitzier version of a Kia Sportage, it would be good to see the option (even dealer-fit) of brightwork in a low-key finish, proper mats that cover all the floor and the tunnel sides, tyres which can cope with the average UK field etc. Even if just to retain a pretence of credibility.

Not really Special Ops though - so a 4.4 TDV8/ZF 8HP Defender, in all the body styles (but absolutely no diamond-stitched leather, SVX-style grilles etc.).

I have seen a Range Rover (2104) towing a twin axle trailer with a Tractor on it on the Hampshire West Sussex border.
Maybe thats a new thread New Range Rover spotted doing 4X4 land rover stuff :-)