Jaguar’s XE SV Project 8 Is A 592-Horsepower 4 Door Hell Chariot
The XE SV Project 8, however, makes the 340 horsepower XE 30t R-Sport seem tame by comparison thanks to its supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine. The engine, which is very familiar in the Jaguar family of vehicles, produces a monstrous 592 horsepower and 516 ft-lb of torque in the XE SV Project 8. Interestingly enough, it is also the fastest accelerating Jaguar of all time, hitting 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds and will reach a top speed of 200 mph. While its acceleration trounces the legendary XJ220 from the 1990s, its top speed come up a bit short.
Power is sent to all four wheels via ZF’s much-lauded eight-speed automatic transmission. The XE SV Project 8 receives an all-new intake system, a lightweight titanium exhaust, and ceramic brakes that measure 15.7 inches up front and 15.6 inches in the back. The most obvious changes on the outside are visible out back, where you’ll find a deckled-mounted wing that provides nearly 270 pounds of downforce at 186 mph. In a bid to save weight, the front and rear bumpers are constructed of lightweight carbon fiber instead of the usual plastic. Carbon fiber usage has also been extended to the front fenders and the rear diffuser.
On the inside, you’ll find seating for four, with the front seats featuring magnesium frames to save weight. However, a Track Pack is optional which adds racing seats up front with multi-point harnesses, and tosses the rear seats out in favor of a partial roll cage. The XE’s standard rotary-type “shifter” has been replaced by a more traditional F-Type style lever. There is also plenty of carbon fiber and Alcantara strewn throughout the cabin instead of the usual wood that Jaguar is known for. For the techno-junkies, there is a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster in front of the steering wheel along with a 10.2-inch infotainment display on the dash. A 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot is included as is a Meridian 11-speaker audio system. But who needs a sound system when you have that glorious V8 engine under the hood?
We must say, the XE SV Project 8 looks pretty menacing with its flared fenders, quad exhausts, rear wing and blacked out roof. However, we’re still a bit iffy about the cheese grater front bumper which harkens back to 1990s concept car styling trends.
Jaguar only plans to produce 300 examples of the XE SV Project 8 for the global market, and they will only be left-hand drive (which seems like a slap in the face to Jaguar’s own home market). For the lucky few that want to get their hands on the vehicle, the price of admission is £149,995, or roughly $194,000.
