JAGUAR XE SV PROJECT 8 – The most powerful Jag Ever!

JAGUAR XE SV PROJECT 8 

Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations, not only sounds like a special task force but also have the inherent ability to create ludicrously fast and loud versions of JLR cars. Their acumen has now been applied to the XE sedan to create the Jaguar XE SV Project 8. Making its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on the 30th of June, the Project 8 will position itself as their most brawny big cat to date. Powering the XE is the thunderous 5.0-litre V8 we’ve seen in other hot JLR products, but with extra gusto to the tune of 441 kW and 700 N.m. The numbers suggest serious contention to the title of the fastest super saloon with a 3.7 second 0-100 sprint time and a supercar-rivalling 322km/h top speed.  Drive is to four corners with a dynamic AWD-system, driven by an 8-speed “quick shift” transmission.

Externally the differences between this and the standard model are rather extensive, with the typical fast car perquisites checked off the list. These include the addition of a Titanium quad exhaust and manually adjusted boot spoiler for added aerodynamic downforce at the immense speeds the Project 8 is capable of. In the pursuit of weight saving, the use of carbon fibre is generous with a carbon bonnet, front and rear bumpers with passive air ducting to create downforce and aid in cooling.  Just 300 units will come to form and will be exclusively left-hand drive

Hardcore Track Pack

The optional track pack ditches niceties, like the standard Magnesium performance buckets for a set of lightweight carbon fibre front ones, saving 12.2kgs. This theme is carried on in the rear, with seats removed altogether and replaced with a harness retention hoop, in support of the 4-point safety harness. Other track specifications include a fire extinguisher system.

Interior

The hardcore focus remains with the use of black Alcantara to line the instrument cluster in the aim of reducing reflection, so too are the door cards and steering wheel. A 12.3 inch TFT instrument screen provides as the information hub for driver data. An aluminium plaque will serve as a reminder as to the exclusive numbers showcasing “1 of 300”. The features list is extensive as one would expect from Jag, with a 10.2-inch tablet like infotainment centre, offering dual-view technology, a 4G wi-fi hotspot and InControl Remote app control connected to a 380W 11 speaker MeridianTM Sound System.  

JAGUAR XE SV PROJECT 8 Pricing in South Africa 

Ahhh well, no allocation of units per country has been made but the base price in the UK suggests to £149,995 equivalent to R2.5 million in South Africa, but more importantly, we are a Right-hand drive country, so it’s very likely this will be exclusive to LHD markets.

Alternatives

The Project 8 is far dearer than all its rivals, but the serious numbers lead to rivals from the likes of the newly launched Mercedes-AMG E63S, the new BMW M5 and the now ageing RS6 Avant, because its quite a bit more mental than the M3, C63S and Giulia!