Jaguar XE SV Project 8 gets road-focused Touring edition

Jaguar's Special Vehicle Operations division has revealed a limited-run, more road-focused version of its hardcore XE SV Project 8 super saloon.

The Project 8 Touring swaps the adjustable carbonfibre wing of the original car with a more subtle fixed bootlid spoiler, with a splitter fitted to the front bumper to maintain aerodynamic balance. The Jaguar and stripe decals seen on the standard car are now optional, for true Q car looks.

Power still comes from a 5.0-litre supercharged V8, with 592bhp and 516bhp making it the most powerful road car Jaguar has ever built. Acceleration performance remains unchanged, managing 0-60mph in 3.3 seconds, but where the standard Project 8 is capable of more than 200mph, the Touring specification is electronically limited to 187mph.

It will only be sold in a four-seat configuration, unlike the standard car, which can be optioned with a half-rollcage in place of the rear seats.

“Project 8 has received outstanding critical acclaim since its launch," Jaguar's SVO engineering director Jamal Hameedi said. "Touring specification extends the appeal of Project 8 to enthusiasts and collectors who prefer a more discreet appearance, without compromising its driver-focused on-road dynamics.”

Just 15 cars will be sold in Touring specification, with each one set to be hand-built at the company's Warwickshire technical centre. With such limited numbers, prices are expected to be higher than the standard car's £149,995.

The SV Project 8 currently holds lap records for a production saloon car on three continents, securing the top spot at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, Dubai Autodrome and Laguna Seca in 2018.