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
There's one headed for Harry's collection
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
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!
Good to see he didn’t vanish completely after leaving evo although I really, really miss his evo video diaries with classic cars.
Those Jag Special Ops cars sound very cool and the market definitely wants bespoke
i miss the zonda
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...
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...
Take the spoiler off as I think it ruins the lines at the back (maybe an xk180 type spoiler instead) and make the interior weather proof and i'll take mine in flat BRG or maybe if i'm feeling adventurous ecurie ecosse blue.
Every manafacturer looks back at its past if its got one, even Audi, so it's not wrong, its actually nice, but opposed to making another s-type at least this shows some real flair. Now maybe you could give some more interior colour options for the standard f-type harry?
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...
On another note, this seems more like Aston Martin Works, which has been around for donkey's years, not AM Q, which is just seems to be a paint and trim job for the tasteless.
It would have been nice to have a few more details and a little less advert for JLR. It dose make me wonder, will they do the same thing for a land rover?
Perhaps, thats just me being snobbish, but i do hope JLR dont open the doors to literally anything and everything.... that could do more harm than good in the long run.
It would be good, as others mention, if JLR took some of these profits that they are turning and invested it in some form of racing.... that would help the brand name, bring about the link with the company's history and evoke a little more 'want' for the normal products.
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