Video: Watch Jaguar's XE SV Project 8 annihilate the four-door 'Ring record
It’s hardly surprising that Jaguar’s XE SV Project 8 is the fastest car to lap the Nürburgring. One would expect as much from something that takes the levels of hardcore up to and beyond “packaging the V8 meant we couldn’t do right-hand drive”.
Indeed, none have taken it anywhere near this seriously until now. Do you see the Alfa Giulia QV sporting buckets, a cage, 600hp and serious aero? The XE is an out and out track weapon born of a mutated muted exec.
Eleven seconds, though? That’s utter madness. Can you imagine a road-homologated supercar coming out tomorrow claiming a ‘Ring lap 11 seconds quicker than the McLaren P1 LM? For reference, the Jag’s 7:21 time is on an even keel with Ferrari’s 488 – a machine boasting over 60 more ponies, with 200 kilograms less to lug and it’s fair to assume, a more cooperative relationship with the air it’s sworn to cut through. Precarious systems of ‘Ring lap standardisation aside, we’re fairly blown away.
Is one-of-300 rarity and 11 seconds at the Nordschleife worth the £90k over and above some slightly less serious rivals? As is the way with these limited edition specials, at this point, we’re not sure it matters. If it's a sign of a hardcore four-door war to come, we're all for it.