2018 Jaguar XE SV Project 8 Goes Official

Jaguar has officiated its most powerful road-going car to date, the XE SV Project 8 with 600 PS on tap. The company previewed the new model roughly one month ago.

The 2018 Jaguar XE SV Project 8 is the second Collector's Edition by Jaguar's Special Vehicle Operations (SVO), following the earlier F-Type Project 7 back in 2014. Jaguar's most powerful road-going car will be hand-built at SVO's Technical Centre in Coventry. Only 300 units will be made available to ensure exclusivity.

Power is derived from Jaguar Land Rover's 5.0-litre supercharged V8 petrol engine that does 600 PS. Power is sent to all four wheels via Jaguar's All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system. 0-60 mph is achieved in just 3.3 seconds, and top speed is a blistering 321 km/h. An eight-speed automatic comes as standard. 

Engine aside, Jaguar has also given the new XE SV Project 8 a number of aerodynamic upgrades, including carbon fibre front bumper, rear bumpers and bonnet, 20-inch forged alloy wheels, adjustable front splitter, flat underbody, rear diffuser and adjustable rear wing. Thanks to all these enhancements, the Project 8 is Jaguar's lightest V8 sedan ever.

Elsewhere, the Jaguar XE SV Project 8 also benefits from continuously variable dampers with a 15 mm lower ride height, new carbon ceramic braking system, ceramic wheel bearings and a rear Electronic Active Differential (EAD) with oil cooler. 

Inside, gloss carbon fibre trim can be found on the sport steering wheel of the Project 88, instrument binnacle and door trim. Drivers can shift gears using aluminium paddle shifters behind the steering wheel or by a central Pistolshift level, a first for the XE. On top of that, the Project 8 also receives a dedicated Track Mode that alters the driveline and stability control systems for circuit use. 

Jaguar is offering the XE SV Project 8 in two trims. The first is a standard four-seat model with Jaguar's front bucket seats with magnesium frames. Next is the optional two-seat Track Pack that includes lightweight front carbon fibre racing seats with four-point harness fixed to a harness retention hoop that replaces the rear seats. Jaguar added that the XE SV Project 8 will only be built in left-hand drive format.