Park Jin-hai primarily focuses on K-dramas, entertainment shows and actor interviews. Beyond that, she also pens articles covering the broader arts scene, with a particular emphasis on classical music, dance and various aspects of lifestyle. Since joining The Korea Times in 2013, she has made significant contributions in the realms of hallyu (Korean wave), industry news and international affairs.
Jaguar introduces customizing service
A model poses next to the 575-horsepower Jaguar F-Type Project 7, the fastest and most powerful production Jaguar, during a launch event at the Banyan Tree Hotel, in Seoul, Wednesday. Only seven has been allocated for the Korean market out of the 250 to be distributed globally. It is priced at 250 million won. / Yonhap
By Park Jin-hai
By Park Jin-hai
Jaguar Land Rover introduced its special customizing service, Special Vehicle Operations (SVO), and three new vehicles in Seoul, Wednesday.
John Edward, head of Jaguar's SVO division, said SVO would create special vehicles for the most enthusiastic and discerning customers, building on Jaguar and Land Rover's core brand values.
“Building on Jaguar’s sporting credentials, we will design and engineer halo vehicles to deliver ultimate sports performance ― badged SVR (Special Vehicle Racing),” he said during the launch event at the Banyan Tree Hotel in Seoul.
“We will apply the SVR formula to Land Rover and Jaguar products, and they will be the fastest, most powerful and most desirable versions in the range.”
The SVO enables customers to choose color, trim and accessories, as well as creating and providing heritage vehicles and parts.
“Our hi-tech paint facility will allow us to 'match to sample', where we can paint a car to replicate the color of a favorite object,” he said. “You can also choose unique leathers, veneers and stitching. And we expect this service will be particularly popular with our many Range Rover buyers here in Korea.”
He said he saw great growth opportunities in Korea.
In its first media event for SVO in Asia, following its global launch in June, the British luxury carmaker unveiled three new cars: the Jaguar roadster F-Type Project 7, Range Rover Sport SVR and Range Rover Autobiography Black.
The F-Type Project 7 and Range Rover Sport SVR boast the fastest performance among the Jaguar Land Rover fleet. The F-Type is the carmaker’s first “collectors’ edition.”
Only 250 vehicles will be made globally and seven have been allocated for the Korean market.
The stunning roadster, inspired by Jaguar’s legendary Le Mans winning sports car D-Type, can deliver a maximum speed of 300 kilometers per hour. It is priced at 250 million won.
The high-performance SUV Range Rover Sport SVR has been launched here as well.
“Our first new product, designed and engineered by SVO, went into production in January,” Edward said. “It is the new Range Rover Sport SVR, being shown here in Korea for the first time.”
Its five-liter, supercharged V8 engine gives high performance, delivering a maximum 550 horsepower and acceleration that goes from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in 4.7 seconds, fastest in the Range Rover lineup. Its sticker price has yet to be decided.
Range Rover Autobiography Black, the top of the Range Rover lineup, which was also unveiled, is claimed to be the ultimate luxury SUV. The upscale SUV has an executive seat console that includes power deployable tables and calf rests. It delivers a maximum 510 horsepower and takes 5.8 seconds to accelerate from zero to 100 kilometers per hour. The price is set at 265.9 million won.