Jaguar XE SV Project 8 is the World’s Fastest Four-door Sedan

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TrackWorthy - Jaguar EX SV Project 8 (2)
TrackWorthy - Jaguar EX SV Project 8 (2)
“…the most track-focused road-legal Jaguar in history – not only the fastest, but also the most agile.” Mark Stanton, Director, Jaguar Land Rover’s SVO division
A Jaguar XE SV Project 8 production-intent prototype has lapped the 20.81 km (12.93 mi) Nurburgring Nordschleife race track in just 7 minutes and 21.23 seconds making it the world’s fastest four-door sedan around the famed circuit. The XE SV Project 8, driven by race car driver Vincent Radermecker, was nearly 11 seconds quicker than the previous fastest sedan, which was an Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.
TrackWorthy - Jaguar EX SV Project 8 (3)
“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.

TrackWorthy - Mark Stanton

 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.

TrackWorthy - Jaguar EX SV Project 8 (4)

This is the second Collectors’ Edition vehicle from SVO. Hand assembly of no more than 300 cars begins at SVO’s Technical Centre in early 2018 and will be priced from £149,995 in UK.

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