THUNDERSTRUCK - Jaguar XE SV Project 8
The XE SV Project 8 confirms its place as the world’s fastest production, four door sedan with new record in Dubai
The world’s fastest four-door sedan, the Jaguar XE SV Project 8 added a new lap record to its growing list of global achievements. The stock, standard Jaguar Project 8 lapped the 5.39km Dubai Autodrome GP circuit in 2:18.81 mins, making it the fastest four seater, four door sedan around the circuit.
The Jaguar XE SV Project 8 is the most extreme Jaguar saloon ever produced. Based on the award-winning Jaguar XE, the SV Project 8 is the most track-ready version designed, engineered and hand-assembled by Jaguar’s Special Vehicle Operations. To preserve the exclusivity and collectability of the most powerful and agile Jaguar road car ever, the brand will build and sell no more than 300 examples worldwide.
The Project 8 has already claimed two previous records at the challenging 20.8km Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany in November 2017, followed by California’s Laguna Seca Raceway in September last year. The new lap record was accomplished by Jaguar Land Rover Test Driver & Engineering support, Xavi Barrio Duato. Xavi brings with him a wealth of driving experience gathered in Spain and China over decades.
Salman Sultan, Regional Public Relations and Social Media Manager said: “The Nürburgring is a well-worn test bed for manufacturers to challenge themselves against the competition but that is only one track. With the Jaguar XE SV Project 8, our aim is to prove that it is the fastest four-door saloon in the world by setting records at several tracks under different climatic conditions and surfaces.”
Its mix of explosive power, dynamic agility and all-wheel drive traction is the result of significant SV enhancements that include lightweight aluminium and carbon fibre exterior panels combined with a 441kw, 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine. The result is supercar performance from Jaguar’s most compact four-door sedan, touching 320kph and reaching 100kph in just 3.7 seconds.
Limited in production, the Jaguar XE SV Project 8 is the first car completely hand-assembled by Special Vehicle Operations’ expert craftsmen at the new SV Technical Centre in Warwickshire, UK. All Project 8s are built in left-hand drive configuration only, and thus not available in South Africa.
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FAQ
Q: What does the Jaguar XE SV Project 8 cost in South Africa?
The Jaguar XE SV Project 8 had a starting price of around R3,500,000 in South Africa when it was available, though pricing varied depending on specification and options.
Q: How powerful is the Jaguar XE SV Project 8 engine?
The XE SV Project 8 packs a massive 441kW from its 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine, making it the most powerful Jaguar saloon ever built.
Q: Is the Jaguar XE SV Project 8 worth buying as an investment?
With only 300 examples built worldwide and multiple lap records under its belt, the Project 8 is already appreciating in value and represents solid investment potential for collectors.
Q: What makes the Jaguar XE SV Project 8 so special compared to regular XE models?
The Project 8 features extensive use of carbon fibre bodywork, track-focused aerodynamics, all-wheel drive, and hand assembly by Jaguar's Special Vehicle Operations team, making it a completely different beast from the standard XE.
Q: How fast can the Jaguar XE SV Project 8 go?
The Project 8 can hit a top speed of 322kph and sprint from 0-100kph in just 3.7 seconds, thanks to its supercharged V8 and all-wheel drive system.
Should You Buy It?
The Jaguar XE SV Project 8 is an absolute weapon that belongs in the garage of serious performance car collectors, but at R3,500,000 it was never meant for regular buyers anyway. With only 300 built worldwide and genuine racing pedigree proven by multiple lap records, this is investment-grade metal that will only get more valuable. If you can find one for sale in South Africa today, expect to pay well over R4,000,000, and honestly, it's worth every rand for the exclusivity and bragging rights alone. The Project 8 isn't just the fastest four-door saloon in the world, it's a piece of Jaguar history that makes every other super saloon look ordinary.
