Jaguar reveals its most powerful model ever

Jaguar has revealed its most powerful production model ever, the XE SV Project 8 – the first road-legal Jag to be powered by the company’s 441kW/700Nm 5.0-litre supercharged V8.

The bad news is the mid-size super-sedan, which is claimed to hit 100km/h in just 3.7 seconds, won’t be available in Australia because all 300 of the limited-edition model will be left-hand drive.

Created by Jaguar’s Special Vehicles Operations (SVO) team, the XE SV employs all-wheel drive, a recalibrated eight-speed automatic transmission, a titanium quad-exhaust system, revised engine calibration and upgraded intake and exhaust flow.

The result is an additional 18kW from the same engine that powers the limited-run Project 7 and F-TYPE SVR, which also hits 100km/h in a claimed 3.7sec.

With a claimed top speed of 322km/h, the XE SV Project 8 is a massive step up from Jaguar’s current flagship XE S sedan flagship, which uses a 250kW/450Nm supercharged 3.0-litre V6 to hit 100km/h in a claimed 5.1sec.

Other new mechanical features include an Electronic Active Differential (EAD) on the rear axle, new race-derived suspension components, retuned electric power assisted steering (EPAS) and two-piece ceramic front brake rotors with six-piston calipers behind 20x9.5-inch wheels. At the rear are 20x11 wheels and 296mm brake discs.

Completing the package is a new bodyshell except for the roof and front doors, front and rear wheel-arches flared by 19 and 55mm respectively, a new-look front bumper designed to feed cold air to the powerplant and a vented bonnet to draw hot air from the engine bay.

Carbon-fibre bumpers are claimed to help make the Project 8 the lightest Jaguar V8-powered sedan at 1745kg, while a new boot floor is installed to improve airflow through the rear diffuser and a manually adjustable boot-mounted rear spoiler adds downforce.

Two versions will be offered in the UK, priced from £149,995 ($A252,600). The pricier Track Pack deletes the rear seats, adds 12.2kg-lighter carbon-fibre race seats up front and also gains four-point harnesses and a fire extinguisher.

The base model comes with magnesium-framed front sports seats, a black Alcantara-clad dashboard, door trims and steering wheel.

The XE SV will make its public debut at this weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed and could led to a full-time production sports sedan to rival the Alfa Romeo Giulia QV, BMW M3, Mercedes-AMG C 63 and upcoming Audi RS 4.