Jaguar XE SV Project 8 sets new Nurburgring record

Jaguar’s new XE SV Project 8 is officially the fastest production four-door saloon around the Nürburgring Nordschliefe after the limited edition XE set a new lap record.

Developed by JLR’s Special Vehicle Operations division, the Project 8 lapped the 12.9-mile track in seven minutes 21.23 seconds, beating the previous record holder, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, by just under 11 seconds.

• Fastest Nurburgring lap times

The XE Project 8 is powered by a 592bhp 5.0-litre supercharged V8 and comes as standard with an eight-speed ZF gearbox and four-wheel drive. Jag claims the Project 8 gets from 0-62mph in 3.3 seconds and can hit a top speed of 200mph.

Carbon ceramic brakes are fitted as standard, while an optional, weight-saving Track Pack removes the rear seats and adds two carbon fiber racing buckets up front with four-point race harnesses.

Only 300 Project 8s, all left-hand drive, will be produced; more than 100 had already been snapped up before the car was revealed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the summer. As well as being one of the most powerful Jag’s ever produced, the Project 8 is also one of the most expensive, priced at £149,995.

Are you impressed by the Jaguar XE SV Project 8’s Nurburgring lap time? Let us know below!