Jaguar Land Rover seeking to enter sports car race

Jaguar Land Rover's Special Vehicles Operations (JLR SVO) division is looking into creating its own sports car to compete with the likes of the Mercedes-AMG GT, according to reports from the UK.

Speaking with Auto Express, managing director for the Tata Motors-owned company's special operations division John Edwards said SVO is keen to create its own model.

''Deep down we want to make our own model,'' he said. ''Just look at the success of the AMG GT.''

Edwards' comments come in the wake of the Jaguar F-Type-based Project 7 and the upcoming XE-based Project 8 limited editions, along with the series-production Jaguar F-Type SVR and Range Rover Sport SVR.

Should a bespoke model from the SVO division become a reality, it's possible the architecture and mechanics of the supercharged V8-powered F-Type SVR could serve as a basis, dressed in a new body and a unique interior, Caradvice suggests.

It's unclear how far into the future a unique SVO sports car is in the company's plans, but in the meantime it appears the Jaguar F-Pace and Range Rover Velar SUVs are prime candidates for the SVO treatment, with Edwards telling Auto Express both luxury crossovers have ''great potential''.