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Close News by Jack Warrick 3 mins read 15 April 2022 Follow @jackwarrick Share

Jaguar XE SV Project 8, £105,995

Is there such a thing as a trackbred demon that’s also suitable for the school run? Jaguar certainly thought so when it produced the ultra-limited Jaguar XE SV Project 8 – a bespoke reworking of the Jaguar XE compact saloon.

While it may appear at first glance to be a normal XE with a spoiler superglued to the rear, the Project 8 is much, much more. It was developed by Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations division and retained four seats but gained an entirely new, bespoke body, save for the roof and the front doors.

Jaguar XE SV Project 8 Touring 2019 first driveJaguar XE SV Project 8 breaks own Nurburgring lap recordJaguar XE SV Project 8 Touring edition proves its pace at GoodwoodJaguar XE SV Project 8 2018 UK first driveJaguar XE SV Project 8 video review: 592bhp super-saloon driven on track

The model’s suspension was also reworked, and its Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres became the first such set to be fitted to a new Jaguar. Under the relatively unassuming bonnet sits Jaguar’s 5.0-litre supercharged V8, ramped up to produce 592bhp and 516lb ft. The Project 8 can complete 0-62mph in 3.3sec and its top speed is put at 200mph

To this day, it’s Jaguar’s most powerful road car ever. The British firm even claimed the model lapped the Nürburgring in 7min 21sec, which is seven seconds quicker than the BMW M4 GTS and the fastest time clocked by a saloon car. In the front, sports seats keep the driver cemented in place, although the same is not true for rear passengers.

The car’s staggering circuit performance is partly credited to its bespoke aero pack, which helps it to produce 122kg of downforce at 186mph. Despite its comprehensive track makeover, though, the Project 8 is also capable on the road thanks to an impressive damping system.

Of course, it’s firm, but we think there is more than enough compliance and bump absorption to deal with most road surfaces and we’ve never found it overbearing.

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Jaguar XE SV Project 8

Limited-run super-saloon looks bred for the track, but Jaguar’s Project 8 delivers on the road as well

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Just 300 examples were made (and, annoyingly, all in left-hand drive) but we found a 2019 car for £105,995. Okay, that’s by no means cheap, but it’s a significant saving considering the Project 8’s original £149,999 2018 launch price. It has been driven for just 6000 miles and has a full Jaguar service history.

Verdict: Take it

Volkswagen Touran, £1800: This Touran can be forgiven for having had better days, seeing as it has covered 200,000 miles. Its current owner says it needs a new windscreen and clutch, and that’s just to pass an MOT test, which it will need to do by the end of April, when the existing one expires. That won’t be cheap. The owner spent £3000 on it last year, too.

Verdict: Leave it