Jaguar’s tyre-shredding skunkworks super saloon, the XE SV Project 8, has smashed another sedan lap record, following its seven minute, 21 second time at the Nurburgring last year.
This time, the American Laguna Seca circuit was the target, with a one minute, 37 second time achieved by presenter and racer, Randy Pobst.
The supercharged 600 horsepower XE beat the previous record at the 2.2-mile circuit, set by the Cadillac CTS V, by just under a second. The Project 8 is more than two seconds a lap quicker than an Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadafoglio.
Jaguar calls the Project 8 “the most extreme Jaguar yet produced”. And when you look at the lengths gone to creating it, that statement seems a bit of an understatement.
Video: Jaguar XE SV Project 8 on-track
Project 8 comes in left-hand-drive only, due to the tight fit of that supercharged V8 under its bonnet. The significant widening of the car at the rear required a total redesign of the rear doors; a great undertaking for what is a comparatively tiny 300-car production run. Still, it needed to be more than a quick engine swap for nearly £150,000 ($200,000)…
“This Laguna Seca lap record is another powerful demonstration of the Jaguar XE SV Project 8’s performance credentials,” said Michael van der Sande, MD of JLR’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) division.
“Designed, engineered and hand-assembled by Special Vehicle Operations, this record-breaking sedan is made for the world’s most demanding driving enthusiasts.”
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