The XE models in Jaguar's range compete against some of the toughest and most accomplished luxury sedans on the market and they come equipped with cutting-edge technology to do just that. To showcase the flexibility and capabilities of the XE platform a Jaguar XE 300 Sport and an XE SV Project 8 created a 328-foot long double helix pattern along the beach at Pendine Sands in Wales.
This location has been used for motorsport events for over 100 years and has also been the venue for numerous land speed record attempts with Malcolm Campbell being the first to achieve 146.16mph in his 350 horsepower Blue Bird back in 1924.
Fast forward 94-years and technology has moved on to the point where a mid-range sports sedan like the XE 300 Sport with its 296 hp 2.0-liter turbocharged engine is limited to 155 mph (US models are restricted to 120 mph). While there is no doubt that this AWD sedan is one of the sportiest offerings in its class, the XE SV Project 8 takes things way, way further.
Equipped with a 592-hp supercharged 5.0-liter V8, this is the most powerful road-legal Jaguar ever. It currently holds the lap record for the fastest four-door sedan in production-intent specification around the Nurburgring with a time of 7min 21.23sec. The Project 8 also set a production sedan lap record at Laguna Seca with a time of 1min 37.54sec.
While these two sedans may be separated by almost 300 hp, they still share many common design elements. Mike Cross, Chief Engineer at Jaguar Land Rover said: "The aluminum-intensive body construction of the XE enabled Jaguar to create a car as special as Project 8. These two saloons share the same DNA, delivering excellent handling, peerless performance and unrivalled dynamics."
While the Project 8 is limited to 300 units worldwide, with approximately 60 of those making their way to the US, you can order the very accomplished XE 300 Sport right now, and for a fraction of the price. Don't wait too long though, it will only be on sale for the 2019 model year.