Jaguar has cemented the position of the XE SV Project 8 as the fastest production saloon car to lap the German Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit.
The 600 horsepower four-door managed to improve on the existing record, previously set by Jaguar in 2017, by some 2.9 seconds.
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With a time of seven minutes 18.361 seconds to complete the 20.6 km (12.8 mile) circuit, the supercharged V8 XE SV is now rubbing shoulders with serious hardcore machinery.
Maximum track attack
Helping the XE SV go even quicker than before was the use of a car fitted with the special ‘Track Pack’ two-seater configuration. Choosing this removes 12.2 kg (27 pounds) from the weight of the Project 8, and installs a purposeful pair of bucket seats up front.
Jaguar also set the height-adjustable coilover suspension to ‘track’ mode, and – sensibly – ensured the front splitter and giant rear wing were set for maximum downforce.
Topping off the adjustments was the fitment of ultra-high performance Michelin rubber. The brand-new Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Rs are street legal, but feature competition-grade construction and compounds.
Back once again for the ‘Ring master
In charge of tackling the demanding 154 corners of the Nürburgring Nordschleife was Jaguar development driver, and former BTCC racer, Vincent Radermecker.
Responsible for setting the XE SV’s original record-breaking ‘Ring time in 2017, Radermecker has also recorded a lap record at the French Circuit Clermont-Ferrand with Jaguar.
The Belgian driver has been instrumental in helping develop the performance of the Project 8, meaning he should certainly have been comfortable with the saloon’s potential 200 mph top speed.
Racing against the clock
Improving on the Nürburgring Nordschleife time is just the latest in a series of on-track achievements for the XE SV Project 8. Lap records have also been broken at Laguna Seca in California, along with at the Dubai Autodrome.
Production of the limited-edition Project 8 is planned to finish later this year, with Jaguar recently launching a slightly subtler Touring version.
Jamal Hameedi, Engineering Director, Jaguar Special Vehicle Operations, was clearly happy with the improved record set by the powerful production saloon.
Speaking about the new lap time, Hameedi commented: “The original Nürburgring time set by Jaguar XE SV Project 8 demonstrated the extreme performance envelope of the world’s fastest production sedan, 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.”