Skip to main content

Jaguar Land Rover’s “Special Operations” division doesn’t fight terrorists, but it will build you a cool car

jaguar land rover special operations 2014 f type coupe
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Apparently, world governments aren’t the only ones with special operations units.

Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations is a new division of the British carmaker that will focus on vehicle customization and atypical projects.

These projects will include high-specification versions of Jaguar and Land Rover models, with extra performance, trim, or color options, as well as one-off commissioned vehicles. Want a Range Rover painted to patch your favorite artisanal mustard? You’ve got it.

Special Operations will also be in charge of heritage projects, including restorations and the creation and sale of replacement parts for classic cars.

Jaguar’s recent recreation of the 1963 Lightweight E-TYPE shows what the company can do in this department, and it would be cool to see more cars like it in the future. Who wouldn’t want to see a cloned XKSS or Series I Land Rover in showrooms?

To support this operation, Jaguar Land Rover will build a separate Technical Center in the U.K., and staff it with 150 employees. For manufacturers, at least, the car-customization business is booming.

It may have the coolest name of any bespoke operation, but Special Operations isn’t the first.

High-end carmakers like Aston Martin and Bentley are increasingly turning to personalization services as a way to cater to ultra-wealthy customers, who may want to try something different after filling their garages with off-the-rack cars.

Editors' Recommendations

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
Rivian R2 vs R1S: How will Rivian’s cheaper SUV compare?
The front three-quarter view of a 2022 Rivian against a rocky backdrop.

Rivian has finally unveiled the R2, its long-awaited attempt at a more affordable electric SUV. The new vehicle may not be available just yet, but fans of Rivian's design aesthetics and feature set are already looking forward to being able to order the new car. The R2 is targeted at being a more affordable take on the electric SUV and will sit alongside the flagship-tier R1S.

Let's get this out of the way right now: The R1S is most likely going to be a better vehicle than the R2. Rivian isn't replacing the R1S with the R2 — it's releasing the R2 as a more affordable alternative, and there will be some compromises when buying the R2 over the R1S.

Read more
Cybertruck production reportedly halted over pedal issue
Tesla CEO Elon Musk behind the wheel of a Cybertruck.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk behind the wheel of a Cybertruck. Tesla

Tesla’s Cybertruck has been hit by a production delay caused by an issue with a part of the vehicle, a number of media reports have claimed.

Read more
Don’t let the gimmicks fool you. The Ioniq 5 N is a serious track car
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N drifting.

We’re finally getting to the fun part of automakers’ methodical quest to replicate their lineups with electric cars.

Performance versions of ordinary cars have been a staple of the auto industry for decades. But while we’ve already seen some variants of EVs boasting more power and more impressive stats — think Tesla Model S Plaid or Lucid Air Sapphire — the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is the first to truly apply that format to an EV.

Read more