Watch The Jaguar XE SV Project 8 Clock A 7:21 'Ring Lap

Jaguar's limited-run, track-focused monster just became the fastest four-door production car at the Nurburgring

28 Nov 2017

Watch The Jaguar XE SV Project 8 Clock A 7:21 'Ring Lap

Step aside Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, there’s a new four-door ‘Ring king: the Jaguar XE SV Project 8. The hardcore, track-focused version of the XE clocked a 7min 21.23sec lap, 11 seconds faster than the Alfa, and a smidge quicker than a Ferrari 488 GTB went around the Green Hell during a Sport Auto test last year.

Yep, quicker than a supercar. Then again, it is as expensive as a supercar: the UK price before options is £149,995, with only 300 being made. There’s also very little XE left. Jaguar says around 75 per cent of Project 8 is new relative to the standard XE - the suspension has been almost entirely replaced, the bodywork is all bespoke (save for the front door skins and roof), and a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 has been squeezed under the bonnet.

There are three main takeaways from the stunning footage of the lap. Firstly, good lord, is that 592bhp V8 loud. Secondly, the four-wheel drive system clearly likes to send quite a lot of poke to the rear, and finally, you get a sense of just how stiff this car is.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show…

Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.

Comments

The Alfa QV is less than half the cost though and has back seats. Plus a stock 2012 GT-R is faster than this - a similarly priced Nismo being near enough 14s quicker again. Good but not great.

It has four doors, but no back seat.
This has to be the most pointless trackday special ever. Why not an F type?
(Still have respect for the driver. What a lap!)

Might have gone quicker if he turned off the screen and the airconditioning. Who sets it at 18 degrees when it’s not summer anyways?

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I think I get now what James May was ranting about. This thing is going to be unusable for everyday driving, all for setting a time on a popular circuit.