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200mph Jaguar XE SV Project 8 super-saloon to make debut at Goodwood

Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) has released the first official images and video of the XE SV Project 8. With a 5.0-litre, supercharged V8 developing 600PS (592bhp) under the bonnet of the company's smallest saloon, it's claimed to be the most powerful road-legal Jaguar thus far - and, reflecting its exclusivity, the UK price will be £149,995.

The production version will make its dynamic debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on Friday, where car enthusiasts will be able to see what the four-wheel-drive super-saloon is capable of.

Jaguar XE SV Project 8 28/06/17
With almost 600bhp to play with, the Project 8 needs the expanse of a circuit to realy show what it's capable of

Aimed at well-heeled collectors, only 300 of the super-saloons will be produced - all of them in left-hand drive and hand-assembled at SVO’s Technical Centre in Coventry.

greatest jaguar saloons
greatest jaguar saloons

Project 8 exclusively features the most highly tuned version of Jaguar Land Rover’s 5.0-litre supercharged V8 petrol engine, featuring an exotic-sounding titanium variable active exhaust. Together with a comprehensive package of aerodynamic tweaks, the car is capable of 200mph and 0-60mph acceleration in 3.3sec, making Project 8 the fastest accelerating Jaguar yet.

Fundamental to the performance of its most track-focused car, in addition to the standard XE's aluminium body panels SVO has added a carbon-fibre front bumper with larger cooling ducts, a vented carbon-fibre bonnet and flared wheel arches over the 20-inch forged aluminium alloy wheels.

There is also an adjustable front splitter, a flat underbody, rear carbon-fibre bumper incorporating a diffuser and adjustable wing.

Jaguar XE SV Project 8 28/06/17
The standard XE is just about discernible under the flared bodywork and revised front bumper in carbon-fibre

Mark Stanton, SVO director, said: “We have really been able to unleash the potential of our engineering and design teams in specifying Project 8, which will see us focus on ensuring it delivers track performance on a level previously not targeted by Jaguar. 

“The SVO team is full of performance car enthusiasts who are now briefed to deliver motorsport science and soul in what is effectively a four-door supercar.” 

The car's towering performance is complemented by stiffer springs and manually adjustable Continuously Variable Dampers (giving a 15mm lower ride height for track use), as well as carbon-ceramic brakes, an industry-first use of Formula 1-style silicon nitride ceramic wheel bearings on a road car, plus a rear Electronic Active Differential. 

Jaguar XE SV Project 8 28/06/17
For those fortunate enough to have the requisite £149,995, the XE SV Project 8 should be a thrilling trackday weapon

Inside, there is lashings of gloss carbon-fibre trim together with Alcantara on the steering wheel rim, instrument binnacle and door cards. The eight-speed Quickshift gearbox can be operated by aluminium paddle shifters behind the steering wheel or by a central lever called Pistolshift. 

Project 8 is also the first Jaguar to feature a dedicated Track Mode, which tailors driveline and stability control systems for circuit use, and sharpens the throttle and steering responses.

The standard four-seat model features magnesium-framed front seats, along with more heavily contoured seating in the back.

The optional two-seat Track Pack includes carbon-fibre racing seats with four-point harnesses attached to sturdy rollcage-like frame that replaces the rear seats.

Jaguar XE SV Project 8 28/06/17
All of the 300 cars will be left-hand drive. This is the Track pack version, with carbon-fibre seats and a sturdy brace in place of the rear seats

Standard body colours are Fuji White, Narvik Black and Caldera Red, with five SVO Design options incorporating colours and finishes from the SVO Premium Palette: Valencia Orange, Velocity Blue, Meribel White, Verbier Silver and Corris Grey (satin matte). 

Project 8 owners will also be able to personalise their car by opting for further colours and finishes from the SVO Premium Palette range, which includes 19 colours in tri-coat, tinted clear coat, pearlescent, ChromaFlair and satin matte finishes.

Jaguar I-Pace in pictures puff
Jaguar I-Pace in pictures puff

As if that weren't enough, the Project 8 will be offered with a range of race-inspired decal packs.

Project 8 is the second Collectors’ Edition vehicle from SVO, following the F-type-based Project 7 in 2014.

Jaguar XE SV Project 8 28/06/17
The rear features a carbon-fibre bumper with a diffuser, plus a monstrous wing

John Edwards, Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations managing director, said: “SVO's raison d'être is to produce halo vehicles that push the boundaries in terms of luxury, performance and all-terrain capability. 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.

“Project 8 will be assembled by hand in the new SVO Technical Centre, and we're confident that our enthusiastic and demanding clients will love driving Project 8 as much we do.” 

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