Jaguar’s SVO division fitted the car with several carbon fiber aero add-ons
by Brad Anderson
4 hours ago
- The insane sports sedan is driven by a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 churning out 592 hp.
- Complementing the engine upgrades are new Bilstein dampers with Eibach springs.
- Just 200 examples of the XE SV Project 8 are thought to have been built.
Jaguar is in the midst of a radical reinvention that will see it move upmarket to rival Bentley, abandoning its previous positioning as a competitor to Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. Moving forward, it’ll also only sell EVs and while that’s sad news for enthusiasts, it does make some of the brand’s final roaring ICE models all the more desirable. This 2019 XE SV Project 8 is one of them.
The brand introduced the SV Project 8 as the ultimate iteration of the XE sedan, building limited examples by hand at the SVO Technical Center. It was akin to a Black Series model from AMG. When first announced, Jaguar said just 300 units would be assembled, but it’s believed that production wrapped up after just ~200 were built.
Read: Is Jaguar’s Shift To Super-Luxury EVs A Smart Move For The Future?
This gorgeous example is located in Manotick, Ontario, Canada, and is painted in SVO Valencia Orange. Like all other Project 8s, it has flared carbon fiber front fenders and aluminum rear quarter panels and is rocking gray graphics. The car sits on the original 20-inch forged wheels with 265/35 front and 305/30 rear Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires and left the factory with heaps of aerodynamic goodies. These include a fixed rear wing, a bespoke diffuser, and an adjustable front splitter.
To make the car as quick on a racetrack as possible, Jaguar installed Eibach springs, Bilstein dampers, and beefed-up the brakes with carbon ceramic discs. The 5.0-liter supercharged V8 churns out a remarkable 592 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, all of which is funneled to the rear wheels through an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.
The cabin has been well-appointed and includes power-adjustable bucket seats trimmed in black leather with Miko suedecloth inserts. Despite being a track-focused special, the XE SV Project 8 includes a Meridian sound system and all of the same infotainment goodies as the standard model.
While BMW, Mercedes, and Audi, will continue to build sports sedans with internal combustion engines for many years to come, this really is the last of its breed from Jaguar. If it tickles your fancy, head on over to Bring a Trailer to place a bid before it’s too late.
