You are looking at the most extreme Jaguar ever built
We’ve heard murmurings of this project for a while, but now Jaguar has confirmed everything we wanted to hear.
The XE SV Project 8 sedan is going into production, and it’ll be the most performance-orientated road car we’ve ever seen from the brand, offering even more punch than it's F-Type SVR cousin.
At the heart of Jaguar's Project 8 creation is a 5.0-litre Supercharged V8 which, in XE SV trim, produces 441kW of power, propelling the four-door sedan from 0 – 100km/h in 3.3 seconds and hitting 321km/h flat out.
To get all that power to the ground Jaguar has fitted their all-wheel-drive system and a full motorsport-derived aerodynamics package with adjustable front splitter and rear wing.
The eight-speed Quickshift transmission can be operated by the aluminium paddle shifters behind or by a 'Pistolshift' lever like a V8 Supercar.
Project 8 is also the first Jaguar to feature a dedicated Track Mode, which adjusts driveline and stability control systems for circuit use, sharpening throttle and steering response.
“SVO's raison d'être is to produce halo vehicles that push the boundaries in terms of luxury, performance and all-terrain capability,” said Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations Managing Director, John Edwards.
“Project 8 is a great example of what happens when enthusiastic designers, engineers and manufacturing specialists are given the opportunity to create an extreme performance sports car without compromise.”
All XE sedans are built using lightweight aluminium body panels, and the XE SV Project 8 version sheds more weight with carbon fibre bumpers, bonnet, aluminium alloy wheels and the option to remove the rear seats.
For the best performance in the bends, the XE’s suspension features stiffer springs and manually adjustable variable dampers, capable of lowering the ride height by 15mm for track use.
XE SV also debuts a new carbon ceramic braking system from Jaguar, and Formula 1-styled silicon nitride ceramic wheel bearings.
In the cabin there's lashings of gloss carbon fibre trim and alcantara on the sports steering wheel, instrument binnacle and door cards.
Project 8 is equipped in two trim levels. The standard four-seat model features Jaguar’s latest front performance seats with magnesium frames.
The optional two-seat Track Pack includes lightweight front carbon fibre racing seats with four-point harnesses fixed to a harness retention hoop that replaces the rear row.
“We have really been able to unleash the potential of our engineering and design teams in specifying Project 8,” said SVO Director, Mark Stanton
“The SVO team is full of performance car enthusiasts that are now briefed to deliver motorsport science and soul in what is effectively a four-door supercar.”
Project 8 is priced at £149,995 (NZ$264,000) in the UK. All cars will be built in left-hand drive configuration only, and production is limited to 300 units.
The Jaguar XE SV Project 8 is set to make its public debut at the Goodwood Festival this weekend in the UK.
