Jaguar XE SV Project 8 Beats Its Own Nürburgring Record
As the world’s fastest saloon car, the XE SV Project 8 bested its previous time by 2.9 seconds.
The Jaguar Special Vehicle Operations-developed XE SV Project 8 has demonstrated its breadth of performance capability by setting the fastest Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time for a four-door production car again: 7 minutes 18.361 seconds.
This new officially-verified time on the 12.8 mile lap is 2.9 seconds faster than Project 8’s previous benchmark set in November 2017, and 7 seconds faster than any other four-door production car has achieved.
Project 8 is also the first vehicle to set an official whole lap record in the Nürburgring’s mid-range production car class, lapping the 12.94 mile circuit length in 7 minutes 23.164 seconds.
Returning to the legendary German circuit in a production-specification two-seat Track Pack version of Project 8 was development driver Vincent Radermecker. The car’s height-adjustable twin-spring coil-over suspension was set in ‘track’ ride height, with adjustable front splitter and carbon fiber rear aerodynamic wing positioned for maximum downforce and stability.
To maximize performance and steering precision, for the final record runs Project 8 was fitted with new off-the-shelf ultra-high performance Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires. Tested and chosen by SV engineers for their capability on the track, the road-legal tires use rubber compounds directly transferred from Michelin’s competition tires.
“The original Nürburgring time set by Jaguar XE SV Project 8 demonstrated the extreme performance envelope of the world’s fastest production sedan,” said Jamal Hameedi, Engineer Director for Jaguar Special Vehicle Operations. “But the SV team is driven by a motorsport mentality and we knew Project 8 could go even faster. This new official record time is a fitting reward for everyone who has played a part in pushing the boundaries for our customers with Project 8.”
Powered by the most highly tuned 592 hp version of Jaguar’s 5.0-liter Supercharged V8, the all-wheel-drive Project 8 is capable of 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds, and a top speed of 200 mph. Project 8 also features a fully-enclosed flat underbody for enhanced aerodynamics, which is key to its performance.
Production of the limited-edition Project 8 will finish this year. There are three distinct four-door specifications available: Lightweight two-seat Track Pack–as used for the record lap times, Four-seat configuration with same aero package and performance as Track Pack, and the Touring specification with discreet fixed rear spoiler–the ultimate Q-car, limited to 15 examples worldwide and 186 mph.
To experience the record breaking run from inside the car, check out the video.
Photos: Jaguar