2019 Jaguar XE SV Performance

The Project 8 was developed with only one goal in mind: to be the fastest four-door production car in the world. To achieve this takes more than just a big motor, but you still need one. A 5.0-liter supercharged V8 has been shoehorned under the hood, producing 592 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. The eight-speed automatic gearbox remains, but getting the power to the ground requires more traction than a rear-wheel-drive setup can achieve, so all-wheel-drive is there instead. Aiding grip are a set of specially developed Michelin Sport Cup 2 summer tires, while massive carbon-ceramic brakes, adjustable coilover suspension with adaptive dampers, and adjustable aerodynamic aids all contribute to the car's capability. 0-60 mph is achieved in just 3.3 seconds, with top speed achieved at the 200 mph mark. If you opt for the Touring package, that second figure drops to 186 mph. Unfortunately for U.S. buyers, the option of a rear-seat delete and the addition of a roll cage and lighter manually-adjustable bucket seats is not available. We also get a panoramic sunroof rather than the standard carbon roof that the rest of the world has access to, and, while this would be considered a nicety in more sedate automobiles, here it feels like watering down a race car for the sake of improving sales.

The only engine available in the Jaguar XE SV Project 8 is a 5.0-liter supercharged V8. We have no complaints with that, as the mill produces a whopping 592 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. In addition, the engine benefits from stiffer mounts to reduce flex and provide better output through minimized drivetrain losses. But enough of the technical speak - the SV Project 8 sounds absolutely mental with active exhaust flaps open, and even in the cockpit with the windows closed, a fair amount of that lovely supercharger whine permeates the cabin. Pulling off from a traffic light or from a starting grid on the track will give you a massive shove in the back if you're too blasé about your throttle inputs, and as you're sucked into your seat and the scenery whizzes by at illegal speeds, the eight-speed automatic gearbox supplied by ZF keeps up effortlessly, shifting quickly and smoothly - with the latter quality a welcome contrast to the ferocity of the beastly engine. Naturally, you can shift gears yourself using the steering-mounted paddles too, allowing you to live out your fantasies of being a genuine racecar driver.

The Jaguar Project 8's greatest feat on the Nurburgring wasn't its lap time - the fact that it circuited the entire track without running out of fuel was even more impressive. Jokes aside, this is a heavy car, both literally and at the gas pumps, with EPA estimates of 16/22/18 mpg on the city/highway/combined cycles. Premium unleaded is required, and with a 16.6-gallon gas tank, you'll be making some oil mogul even wealthier. Mixed range is estimated at just 298 miles, although it is justifiable considering that this is a 200 mph car.