Jaguar XE Project 8 confirmed

F-Type based Project 7 a bit predictable? Try a 600hp XE then!

Well now this is exciting. Described as "the most extreme performance Jaguar ever" this wild XE is called the SV Project 8. And, while details are a little scarce at the moment, one very important number has been confirmed: this car will have 600hp.

Stand well back...

Six hundred! Not only does that make it the most powerful production Jaguar ever, it's also 90hp up on a Mercedes-AMG C63 S and Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio. For any kind of car, that's a very potent power figure. For this segment of car, it's utterly outrageous.

That power comes from the familiar supercharged 5.0-litre V8, though no other performance claims have yet been issued. No top speed, no 0-62 and no Nurbugring lap time, despite the images here. In fact it hasn't yet been announced whether the SV Project 8 is rear- or four-wheel drive, though you would have to assume the latter.

Imagine the noise!

The only other number firmed up for now is the production: Jaguar will make just 300 XE Project 8s, designed for "enthusiasts and the most discerning collectors" across the globe. As such expect the price to be beyond the conventional rivals, particularly with the car being hand assembled at the SVO Technical Centre.

Let's cast those concerns aside for now though - it's a 600hp, V8 Jaguar saloon! Finally, this is the small baby Jag that all of the motoring media can get very, very excited about. The full reveal is set for the Goodwood Festival of Speed at the end of next month, though expect a few more details before then - you'll know as soon as we do! In the meantime, if just the 550hp will suffice, aren't XJRs still looking rather lovely? More on the XE to follow...