Jaguar unveils XE SV Project 8 ahead of Goodwood debut

Jaguar has revealed its most powerful road car yet – the XE SV Project 8.

Using a 590bhp 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine, it is capable of hitting 60mph in just 3.3 seconds and will carry on to a top speed of 200mph.

Just 300 examples of the XE SV Project 8 will be created – with each car costing £149,995.

A range of modifications has been fitted to the car, including a titanium exhaust, a vented carbon-fibre bonnet and 20-inch forged aluminium alloy wheels. A carbon-fibre rear bumper and a series of lightweight aluminium body panels have helped towards creating the lightest V8 saloon in the Jaguar range.

John Edwards, Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations manager, 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 as we do!”

Each Project 8 car will be assembled at SVO’s Technical Centre in Coventry, where it will be fitted with stiffer springs and manually adjustable dampers, as well as carbon ceramic brakes and an electronic differential.

Inside, the Project 8 benefits from extensive use of alcantara and carbon-fibre while a sports steering wheel sits in front of aluminium paddle shifters.

The XE SV is also the first Jaguar to feature a Track Mode, which adapts the car’s stability control settings for use on the circuit, as well as sharpening the throttle and steering responses.

The Jaguar XE SV is due to make its debut at this weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.