Jaguar Sets New Track Speed Record with XE SV Project 8 Four-door Sedan

• XE SV Project 8 is powered by a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 generating 592hp and 516lb.-ft. of torque, capable of up to 200mph and 0-60 mph acceleration in as little as 3.4 secs1

• Global volume of XE SV Project 8 is strictly limited to 300 units; all hand-built at Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations Technical Center in Coventry

MONTEREY, CA - September 13, 2018: Jaguar announced today it has established a new track record for the fastest four-door production sedan at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with its XE SV Project 8. Professional racing driver and Motor Trend contributor, Randy Pobst piloted the 592hp sedan around the 2.238 mi. road course in 1min 37.54sec, besting the previous record held by the 2016 Cadillac CTS-V by almost a second.

Footage of Pobst’s lap with commentary is available online here; additional video will be available on MotorTrend.com and the Motor Trend YouTube channel.

Today’s announcement follows on from news last month in which Pobst set another benchmark time -- this one for EVs -- at the same circuit, in the new Jaguar I-PACE performance SUV; lapping the 11-turn track in 1min 48.18sec in a completely unmodified car.

From design concept to production, the XE SV Project 8 has always been envisioned as a canvas for which the team of designers and engineers at Special Vehicle Operations could push the boundaries of what is possible. In pursuit of creating a four-door car with genuine supercar performance engineers fine-tuned the car on some of the most thrilling test tracks around the world, including Germany’s famed Nürburgring Nordschleife. Late last year Jaguar announced a production-intent prototype of its XE SV Project 8 circled the 12.9mi. circuit in a record 7min 21.23sec.

Top 5 Production Sedan Lap Times at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca*

Position	Year/Make/Model	Time
1	2019 Jaguar XE SV Project 8 …………………………………..	1:37.54
2	2016 Cadillac CTS-V ……………………………………………………………...	1:38.52
3	2017 Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio …………………………………………………...	1:39.65
4	2018 BMW M5 ……………………………………………………………………..	1:39.81
5	2015 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Sedan …………………………………................	1:40.50
*As noted by Motor Trend Magazine

Extensive changes to the XE have been made to create the brand’s most track-focused, road-legal, sedan; outside, only the roof panel and aluminum front doors remain unmodified.

Each of the 300 hand-built examples start life as a standard XE body-in-white arriving at the Special Vehicle Operations Technical Center in Coventry. Upon arrival the front firewall and rear subframe are modified to accommodate the specially tuned, supercharged, 5.0-liter V8 up front and a bespoke rear differential oil cooler -- developed with learnings from the F-TYPE SVR -- out back.

Unlike most high performance production sedans the all-wheel-drive XE SV Project 8 is studded with genuine motor racing technology, including F1-style ceramic wheel bearings, adjustable ride height and adjustable camber.

The front and rear fenders are bespoke to accommodate larger, wider, wheels which are necessitated by the larger brakes. The V8’s 592hp and 516lb.-ft. of torque are routed through all four Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires via an 8-speed Quickshift automatic ZF^® transmission, helping to propel the car from 0-60 mph in 3.4 secs. as the vehicle accelerates to an electronically limited 200 mph top speed¹.

The front uprights, two-part upper wishbones, ball joints in place of rubber bushings, twin coil springs, dampers, lower suspension bushings, anti-roll bars and latest specification carbon ceramic brakes are all new and bespoke to the XE SV Project 8. 

In order to achieve this improved performance, the exterior of the car receives significant aerodynamic upgrades as well. At the front of the car, a wider bespoke front fascia with extra-large front apertures helps to smooth airflow around the vehicle and channel cool air through the engine and into the front brakes. The front fascia also includes an adjustable front splitter that can be extended into a more aggressive position during track day use. Even the headlights get modified, moving forward 14 mm, to accommodate the larger front wheels needed to clear the 15.75 in. Carbon Ceramic front brakes. The carbon fiber hood features a functional heat extractor to manage thermal build-up during extended stints on track. Underneath the car, engineers have further worked to smooth airflow and reduce both drag and lift with the addition of a flat underbody and functional rear diffuser. Fixed to the Carbon Fiber decklid, the large rear wing can be adjusted into an aggressive pitch angle for track use.

In its most extreme settings, and in ‘Track’ mode – suspension lowered by 15 mm. with both the front splitter and rear wing adjusted for maximum effect -- Project 8 delivers almost 269 lbs. of downforce at 186mph – about 25 percent more than its nearest rival. Project 8 is the first Jaguar to offer such a Track mode, standard on all versions, tailoring driveline and stability control systems for circuit use by sharpening throttle and steering responses and tuning the dampers to their most aggressive setting.

Project 8 is priced from $187,500² in the U.S. It is the second Collector’s Edition Jaguar from Special Vehicle Operations, after the 2014 F-TYPE Project 7. Deliveries begin later this year. Customers interested in additional information can visit www.jaguarusa.com/about-jaguar/special-vehicle-operations/project-8.html

Each new Jaguar sold in North America comes with the added peace of mind of Jaguar EliteCare, a best-in-class ownership package³. Jaguar EliteCare includes:

• 5 year / 60,000 mile new vehicle limited warranty
• 5 year / 60,000 mile complimentary scheduled maintenance
• 5 year / 60,000 mile 24/7 roadside assistance
• 5 year / unlimited mile Jaguar InControl^® Remote and Protect™

For complete details regarding Jaguar EliteCare coverage, please visit JaguarUSA.com, call (855) JAGUAR-USA / (855) 524-8278 or visit your local Jaguar Retailer.

TECHNICAL DATA

JAGUAR XE SV PROJECT 8

 

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
Engine capacity (cc)	5,000
Layout	V8 Supercharged Gasoline
Power	592hp @ 6,500rpm
Torque	516-lb. ft. @ 3,500-5,000rpm
Transmission	8-speed Quickshift automatic, All-Wheel Drive, Stop/Start

 

CHASSIS
Suspension	Front:	Independent, double wishbones Adjustable coil springs, CVD dampers
	Rear:	Independent, Integral Link, Adjustable coil springs, CVD dampers
Brakes	Front:	15.75-in/400mm Carbon Ceramic Braking discs Six-piston sliding caliper
	Rear:	15.6-in/396mm Carbon Ceramic Braking discs Single-piston sliding caliper
Wheels and tires	Front:	9.5 x 20in forged alloy 265/35-R20 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2
	Rear:	11 x 20in forged alloy 305/30-R20 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2
Steering	Rack-and-pinion; electromechanical

 

DIMENSIONS
Length	185.4-in / 4,710mm
Width including mirrors	81.7-in / 2,075mm
Width excluding Mirrors	77.4-in / 1,965mm
Road Height	56.5-in / 1,436mm
Track Height	55.9-in / 1,421mm
Wheelbase	111.6-in / 2,835mm
Curb Weight	From 3,890-lbs / 1,764kg

 

PERFORMANCE
0-60mph	3.4 sec1
0-100km/h	3.7 sec1
Top speed	200mph1

#  #  #

(1)   Always follow local speed limits.

(2)   All prices shown are Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price. Excludes $995 destination/handling charge, tax, title, license, and retailer fees, all due at signing, and optional equipment. Retailer price, terms and vehicle availability may vary. See your local authorized Jaguar Retailer for details.

(3)   Class is cars sold by luxury automobile brands and claim is based on total package of New Vehicle Limited Warranty, Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance, 24-Hour Roadside Assistance, and Jaguar InControl® Remote & Protect™. For complete details regarding Jaguar EliteCare coverage, please visit JAGUARUSA.COM, call (855) JAGUAR-USA / (855) 524-8278 or visit your local Jaguar Retailer.