Jaguar XE SV Project 8 Becomes Fastest Saloon Car To Lap Nurburgring

Jaguar’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO)-developed XE SV Project 8 is now the world’s fastest four-door car, following a production-intent prototype’s record lap of the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

The record time of 7 minutes and 21 seconds, which is 11 seconds quicker than the previous record holder; Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, was set by British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) racing driver Vincent Radermecker in the car which was prepared by SVO’s engineers, fitted with 265/35 R20 and 305/30 R20 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres.

Available 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,  the XE SV Project 8 is powered by a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine which produces 600 hp and 700 Nm of torque.

Limited to only 300 units, the XE Project 8 comes with a few interesting performance parts such as the fully adjustable suspension, aerodynamics and electronic systems which can be configured in Track Mode, vented carbon fibre bonnet, adjustable carbon fibre front splitter, carbon fibre rear spoiler, as well as carbon ceramic brakes.

Mark Stanton, director of Jaguar Land Rover’s SVO division said, “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.”

As a result, only the roof and front door skins of Project 8’s body are carried-over unaltered from the regular XE, while about 75 per cent of its mechanical hardware is completely new.