Jaguar’s Bonkers Project 8 Just Went Even Faster Around The ‘Ring
Jaguar has returned to the Nurburgring and set a new class record with its brilliantly mad EX Project 8 saloon.
In lightweight two-seat Track Pack guise, a regular production option, the Project 8 lapped the 12.8-mile circuit in 7m18.361s, which is 2.9s faster than its previous best.
The time was set using off-the-shelf Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tyres, the French firm’s stickiest road-legal track rubber. At the time of writing the Project 8 is now seven seconds faster around the famous circuit than the next-fastest rival.
To help it on its way, the two-level adjustable twin-spring coilover suspension was set to its lowest, so that the front splitter and rear wing could be positioned for maximum downforce and corner speed.
The £149,995 (plus options) uber-saloon uses a 592bhp supercharged V8 to force its way to 200mph, passing 62mph in 3.7 seconds. Handling is aided by a completely flat and enclosed under-body, helping to suck the car to the floor at high speeds.
Production of the mighty four-door is scheduled to halt later this year. There are three spec options available, from the standard four-seater and the Track Pack car to an understated Touring spec, with a more discreet fixed rear spoiler and a limited 186mph top speed. Just 15 Touring cars will be made.
Comments
Saw one at the local Jag dealership, looks a serious bit of kit.
I donno what to say but when Jaguar wants to show it means business it sets out and does it….
So, it can go faster than itself!
I always used to wonder whether redoing Nurburgring lap records with the same car was a thing or there was some kind of unspoken rule that you couldn’t do it twice in the same vehicle
Ive always just assumed its yoo expensive to book the track out so they dont bother doing it over
From what i remember saloon cars dont come fitted with roll cage and they have back seats. But who knows, maybe im wrong.
I dont think there is anything against a saloon having a roll cage
As long as you can order it in the same spec it is all good.
I love how it looks as though somebody put a widebody kit on it because of the gaps at the backs of the fenders
Saw one at the British Motor Museum yesterday