While the past decade has seen three-box saloons fall by the wayside as crossovers soak up more and more sales, there have been a few glimmers of hope. You’ll no doubt be familiar with Alfa Romeo’s knee-weakening new Giulia GTA, which has jumped right to the top of wanted lists the world over with its 100kg diet and 50mm-wider tracks. It looks nuts, affirming that while the masses are pre-occupied with oddly shaped, jacked-up things, there remains a hardcore of enthusiasts who can be trusted to lust after performance saloons like they were going out of fashion (which is obviously appropriate).
It was only two years ago that Jaguar weaved its own sort of magic on the XE SV Project 8, a car which appeared in stark contrast to its maker’s shifting focus. As JLR’s sales began to falter in the eve of diesel’s demise and an impending Chinese market slowdown, an extreme, high-cost XE looked like a lovechild from a previous relationship. But with development complete and a Nürburgring lap record secured, its arrival was welcomed with open arms. Because this was a 600hp supercharged V8 saloon with swelled arches, carbon ceramics and a big wing, after all.
Suffice it to say, Dan couldn’t wait to drive the thing on its spring 2018 launch, where it promptly delivered on expectations by being utterly sublime on the asphalt of Portimao. The car flaunted all the things Jaguar is good at, just wound up to SVO levels, including excellent body control, pinpoint accurate steering and a 5.0-litre engine that Dan described as being like “a hundred thunderstorms happening at once”. The Project 8 is far more than just a maxed-out super saloon, it is a technical marvel, with brilliant attention to detail at every level of its construction.
Let’s not forget either, the whole project relied on engineers being able to get those 20-inch Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2s to fit. The car’s nose had to be shifted forward by 14mm, and even then everything barring the body in white had to be completely reengineered or replaced. The XE SV Project 8 is practically its own independent model, hence Jag’s decision to cap production to 300 units and price each from £149,995. That’s 200 fewer cars than Alfa will make, and quite likely a higher list price than the Italian will demand by some margin. Whether that makes the Jag more special or the Alfa a greater potential bargain (relatively speaking) will depend on your standing.
It has always been a shame that Jaguar didn’t allow some of the Project 8’s magic to trickle down into its regular XE line-up. The engine bay of non-SVO variants never received more than six-cylinders, and the top XE S was eventually canned due to a low volume of sales. Given this fact, it’s unsurprising to see Alfa go for a similar volume-limited steroidal saloon strategy, rather than a less extreme series run. Then again, unlike the XE, the Giulia does already have something capable of filling the space with the ‘regular’ Quadrifoglio, a car brimmed with charisma.
For anyone able to fork out six-figures for a track-honed super saloon, however, the rarity and exclusivity of the Project 8 adds up. Today’s pick, with 8,052 miles on the clock, and the standard-fit back bench where it should be, just goes to show how usable the car can be if you're not too concerned by all the looks. Either way, it's as close to the GTA as you'll get for awhile and a more than worthy rival for the rakish Italian newcomer.
SPECIFICATION - JAGUAR XE SV PROJECT 8
Engine: 5,000cc, supercharged V8
Transmission: 8-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
Power (hp): 600@6,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 516@3,500rpm
MPG: 25.7
CO2: 254g/km
First registered: 2018
Recorded mileage: 8,052
Price new: £149,995
Yours for: £128,844
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