As-new Jaguar XE Project 8 for sale
Jag's finale for four-door V8s was always special; a few years later it's like something from another planet
Even back in those care-free and easygoing days of less than a decade ago, the Jaguar XE SV Project 8 looked like an audacious move. What the world was expecting was a small Jaguar four-door to rival the likes of the BMW M3, AMG C63 and Alfa Giulia Quadrofoglio, channelling the spirit of the old XFR with some supercharged V8 mischief. What came instead was an extremely limited run (300 units), left-hand drive special edition, a four-door saloon that could optionally have the rear bench taken out with an asking price more akin to a true supercar than a mere super-saloon.
Only the Project was so much more than ‘just’ a 600hp Jaguar four-door; it was everything that Special Vehicles knew about making cars great in something that looked vaguely similar to the XE. And that was all abundantly clear after not long behind the wheel, with a level of circuit ability and stamina alien to pretty much every road-going Jaguar that has ever existed. The XKR-S GT, another car blessed by SV team input, was the closest comparable car, the achievements of which the XE built on further with even more power and four-wheel drive. Let’s not forget that this was once the fastest ‘mid-range car’ on the Nordschleife back in 2019; anything that can get in under 7:30 is going some, and to this day nothing with four doors has been officially recognised as faster.
So the XE’s special status was soon established. The experience was befitting of a £150k Jag, because it was epic; the problem was that people’s expectations of a super XE didn’t align with that price tag. Amazing though it might be to think now, the P8 didn’t fly off the shelves, and the final 15 were made in Touring spec to reignite some interest. Just a few years later, the uber XE has a significance in Jaguar’s back catalogue that few can rival; it seemed at the time that nothing quite like it would ever exist again, a fact that’s now guaranteed. Should a Project 9 ever happen, it’s going to be a Jaguar totally unlike the Special Vehicles car that came before.
Despite the fact that this particular Project 8 went without the two-seat Track Pack, and the rather disturbing reality that 2019 is seven years ago, use for this one has been modest: it is yet to reach 2,000 miles. Which seems like something of a pity, though what an opportunity for whoever’s lucky enough to get it next. Because of its LHD-only nature, the majority of these cars are overseas, and they don’t come up for sale often in the UK. Indeed, this is the first time we’ve ever seen one in British Racing Green, the more common Project 8 colours tending to be a bit bolder (to say it lightly).
And there’s a very good reason for that. According to the seller of this one, BRG was a ‘considerable cost option’ on the Project 8, but the original owner insisted on it so that their Project 8 could match their Project 7. Which is also now for sale, at the same dealer, for the same money, with even fewer miles: just 150 since first registration a decade ago. The phrase used in the advert is ‘undriven’, which is fairly astonishing - imagine the calibre of the collection if a 575hp F-Type roadster never gets used. It has been recently MOT’d, however, and earned from a major service at the same time, so is all set for summer.
And while not marketed directly as a pair, what a mighty dream garage the pair of British Racing Green Jags make together. The Project 7 for the fairer weather, the Project 8 for when four-wheel drive, four doors and four seats is more suitable. Surely it would be a shame for the two of them to be separated, having spent so many years together and with the colour linking them. At £164,995 each that’s £330k for the pair, the only V8 Jaguars in yonks not to have depreciated. Hopefully someone can get a deal done to keep both of the SV Jaguars together. And back on the road, please - they’re too awesome to be kept away.
Surely odd though to spec them the same or similar and then barely use them but sell them before they've actually had a chance to appreciate.
A fair amount of effort to lose a reasonable amount of money when you factor in inflation and the lost opportunity cost of £300k+ over 7 or 8 years.
Looked deliciously cool and stealthy.
In addition to all the obvious attributes, imho it’s very impressive that the 5.0-litre s/c V8 in Project 8s, and F-pace SVRs, can return 30mpg when cruising at motorway speeds.
Whereas the 2.5- and 3.0-litre turbos in, respectively, RS3s and M3 Tourings can barely achieve the same.
Why??
but what to choose, a project 8 or a 7?
I think the 7 is a bit more sporty? and cool on sunny days, although both have automatics.
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