Skip to main content

Jaguar’s XE SV Project 8 is the British super sedan you’ve been waiting for

With a timed lap of 7 minutes, 23 seconds, the Project 8 is the new 'ring leader

Jaguar-XE-SV-Project 8 feature
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Back in June, Jaguar introduced its “most powerful, agile, and extreme” road car ever. After getting over the shock that the British automaker wasn’t referring to a new F-Type, this next bit feels expected. Jaguar’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) division has announced that its XE SV Project 8 is now the fastest production-intended sedan ever to lap the Nurburgring. With a rip-roaring time of just 7:21.23, the XE-based road car is a massive 11 seconds quicker than the previous record holder (Alfa Romeo’s Giulia Quadrifoglio).

Check out the full lap video below:

Built by Jaguar Special Vehicle Operations (SVO), the XE SV Project 8 is a hand-built version of the XE compact luxury sedan. We really liked the standard XE when we drove it last year, but make no mistake, this is an entirely different animal. Instead of a 340-hp V6 between the front fenders, the Project 8 is powered by a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 that produces 592 hp and 516 pound-feet of torque. Put your paw down and the car will rocket to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds, making it the fastest accelerating Jaguar yet. Me-ow. Oh, and it’ll do 200 mph.

“The SVO design and engineering team’s mission was to create the most track-focused road-legal Jaguar in history – not only the fastest, but also the most agile. ” said Mark Stanton, SVO Director. “This astonishing Nürburgring Nordschleife record validates the success of such extensive changes.”

By utilizing carbon fiber and composite components on everything from the front bumper to the rear wing, Jaguar’s SVO wizards kept the XE’s curb weight to 3,847 pounds. That is heavier than the regular XE, but when you account for the fire-breathing powerplant and other performance goodies onboard, it’s actually significantly lighter than it should be. Only the roof and front doors are carried-over from XE and 75 per cent of its mechanical hardware is new. Also consider the car still has a 10.2-inch touchscreen, a 380-watt Meridian sound system, and a variety of other modern luxuries.

In addition to all that, the Project 8 equips a recalibrated eight-speed automatic transmission, stiffer suspension springs, manually adjustable shocks, a carbon ceramic braking system, and an active electronic rear differential complete with an oil cooler. Just 300 examples of the vehicle will be produced globally, which means the car will be as rare as it is quick.

Want more of the Project 8? Be sure to read our one-on-one interview with SVO. Now somebody send the F-Pace to SVO and see what happens.

Andrew Hard
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…
Mercedes to trial humanoid robots for ‘low-skill, repetitive, demanding’ jobs
Apptronik's Apollo robot at work in an auto plant.

Humanoid robots have been coming on leaps and bounds in recent years, and some major companies are starting to take note.

Mercedes-Benz, for example, has just entered into an agreement with Texas-based robotics specialist Apptronik to collaborate on identifying applications for highly advanced robots that the auto giant could deploy. The deal will involve a trial that will see Apptronik's Apollo humanoid robot work alongside Mercedes' human workers on the factory floor.

Read more
Hyundai Ioniq 9: price, release date, range, and more
Hyundai Ioniq 9 Front

Hyundai has been at the forefront of EV development for a while now, largely thanks to the success of the crossover-sized Hyundai Ioniq 5. But the company is readying another new EV that could be even more popular than the Ioniq 5 -- or at least more desirable in the U.S., the land of big cars.

The upcoming Ioniq 9, previously set to be called the Ioniq 7, will be Hyundai's take on an electric SUV. It will be to Hyundai what the Kia EV9 is to Kia. It will have three rows and carry over design elements from the Ioniq 5.

Read more
Audi Q6 e-tron ushers in the automaker’s next EV phase
2025 Audi Q6 e-tron front three quarter view.

Audi doesn’t get enough credit for getting luxury car buyers comfortable with EVs. While Tesla took care of the image-conscious types, the German brand unveiled its e-tron electric SUV in 2018 with the tagline “electric has gone Audi” in hopes of getting loyal customers excited about (or, at least, acclimated to) electric cars by pitching the e-tron as an Audi first and an EV second.

The e-tron wasn’t a one-off, either. It’s since evolved into the Q8 e-tron and has been joined by the sporty e-tron GT and entry-level Q4 e-tron. So, while some car brands are only just introducing their first electric models, Audi is ready for round two.

Read more