Wednesday 29th November 2017

Jaguar XE SV Project 8 Nurburgring lap

11 seconds faster than a Giulia Quadrifoglio, says Jag...

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Oh goody, another contentious Nurburgring Nordschleife lap time. Been a while, hasn't it? The latest is the Jaguar XE SV Project 8, with video to support, circulating the 12.9 miles in 7:21.23. Well, nearly 12.9 miles, as this lap cuts off the small pit straight. But given its nearest rival for Nurburgring supremacy, the Giulia Quadrifoglio, went the same distance, as did many others, that's not too much of an issue.

And when the gap is 11 seconds, there can't be too many complaints about a few metres here or there. 7:21 is a seriously brisk time, faster than an M4 GTS, level with a Ferrari 488 and just a few seconds off the mad Camaro ZL1 1LE. Still, with 600hp and all-wheel drive, we kind of expected as much...

The issue then? Jag's terminology. See this isn't a production car, but instead a 'production-intent prototype'. Which, being generous, is a little vague. It's all very well this being pitched as having 'production-intent', but there's nothing to verify that. Is it a production prototype like the Civic Type R, that had seats removed? Exactly how far off the real version is it? Could there be another 50hp dialled in just for this vid? Sorry if the cynicism appears insincere, but it rather comes with the territory now.

All that aside, the car does look supreme around the Nordschleife. It's level and composed through the track's many undulations, with great traction and - predictably enough - huge speed. To see something this fast and this capable at the 'ring with a Jag badge is not only a pleasant surprise, but also bodes extremely well for how the 'production-production' Project 8 will drive. As for when anybody else will get to drive it, we're still none the wiser. Hopefully 2018 will provide a few more details.

 

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UPDATE 1600h 04/12/2017:
Just to reiterate the official line from Jaguar, as mentioned in the comments:
"The car is fully production spec - no trickery - 600PS production power (no extra 50bhp), production suspension, brakes, production tyres (265/35 R20 and 305/30 R20 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2). It was prepared by SVO's engineers in Track Mode - the only difference from production car is the roll cage that was fitted to meet health and safety requirements...which made the car slightly heavier than the production model."

[cheddar]

The driver's jumping in his seat like a pogo stick with Parkinson's and the engine's just NNNNARRRRRRGGGGHHHHHH
Hope it's more musical in reality

Great lap time though