Unveiled at this year's Geneva Motor Show, Jaguar's first all-electric EV, the I-Pace SUV, marks the start of an important new era for the automaker as it begins to roll out a new range of EVs to take on Tesla. From 2020, every Jaguar model will have some form of electrification. As part of this plan, Jaguar is considering producing electric versions of the next-generation F-Type and the new Land Rover Defender. And now Jaguar's Special Vehicle Operations is already relishing the possibility of developing high-performance EVs.

Speaking to Motoring, Jaguar SVO's managing director John Edwards couldn't hide his excitement when discussing the future potential of high performance Jaguar EVs, but admitted developing potent electric Jaguars will present some challenges. "It's definitely a different challenge, but I actually look at it as an opportunity and our engineers love having a problem," he said. "The rules of performance vehicles in a traditional [internal combustion-powered] market are very established and we react to those established rules. With electric vehicles, the rules aren't established at all, so I think it gives us different opportunities."

He also hinted there are "interesting opportunities" to improve not only a pure-electric vehicle's performance, but also its luxury and capability. Jaguar SVO's first EV will be the track-focused I-Pace eTrophy racer, which will make its competition debut later this year with 20 racing models competing in a support series for Formula E. As for potential road-going performance EVs, a sportier Jaguar I-Pace SVR seems like the most likely candidate. When Motoring asked if Jaguar SVO is working on an I-Pace SVR, Edwards didn't confirm the model's existence-but he didn't deny it, either. "Of course I would like to see it, but I have no shortage of crazy ideas I'd like to happen," he teased.