“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, Director of Jaguar Land Rover’s SVO division. “As a result, only the roof and front door skins of Project 8’s body are carried-over unaltered from XE and 75 per cent of its mechanical hardware is new. This astonishing Nürburgring Nordschleife record validates the success of such extensive changes.”

The Project 8 is available to order as a four-seat sedan, or with an optional weight-saving two-seat Track Pack, which includes front Carbon Fibre Racing Seats with Four-Point Harnesses fixed to a Harness Retention Hoop in place of the rear seat. Both versions feature adjustable suspension, aerodynamics and electronic systems, which can be configured in Track Mode.

 Mark Stanton

Under the carbon fibre hood of the XE SV Project 8 is a highly tuned version of Jaguar Land Rover’s 5.0-litre Supercharged V8 which generates 592 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. The lap record was set with the car in Track Mode and on production 265/35 R20 and 305/30 R20 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. The Project 8 can accelerate from capable of 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in just 3.3 seconds and has a top speed of 322 km/h (200 mph).

“SVO exists to push the boundaries of performance, luxury and all-terrain capability,” said John Edwards, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations. “The hand-assembled XE SV Project 8 takes that principle to the limit, extracting supercar-beating performance from Jaguar’s most compact four-door sedan. The Nürburgring Nordschleife record underlines our commitment to deliver the most extreme Jaguar ever to Project 8 clients, who will soon experience this sensational sedan for themselves.”

Track Mode sets the ride height of the Continously Variable Dampers 15 mm lower than standard, with the adjustable carbon fibre Front Splitter and carbon fibre Rear Aerodynamic Wing positioned for maximum downforce. The Project 8 generates 122 kg of downforce at 300 km/h (186 mph). The new Carbon Ceramic Braking system uses motorsport-grade Synthetic Racing Fluid which is ideal for use in race conditions such as those at the Nürburgring.